Quick Scoop

The GI will protect Bohol’s Ubi Kinampay by formally recognizing it as a product whose qualities, reputation, and cultural heritage are tied to the province’s geography, soil, climate, and traditional farming practices. That protection can help stop false origin claims and unauthorized use of the name, while also supporting farmers’ market value.

How it helps

  • It gives the crop legal recognition as a place-linked specialty, not just a generic purple yam.
  • It can prevent others from passing off non-Bohol ube as “Ubi Kinampay.”
  • It may raise consumer trust because buyers can look for a standard tied to origin, production methods, and labeling rules.
  • It can help preserve traditional and organic farming practices that give the crop its distinct aroma, texture, and color.
  • It may create new economic opportunities for local farmers and strengthen the product’s market value amid growing global demand for ube.

What happens next

IPOPHL is reviewing Bohol’s application, including the manual of specifications that covers the product description, production area, methods, quality control, standards, and labeling. If approved, Ubi Kinampay would become the second GI-protected product from Bohol after Alburquerque Asin Tibuok.

Bottom line

So, the GI is meant to protect identity, quality, and origin —and, in practical terms, to give Bohol farmers stronger branding and better protection against imitation.

TL;DR: GI protection would make Ubi Kinampay officially recognized as a Bohol-origin product, shield it from misuse, and help boost its value and heritage.