Aklan piña weaving earns GI status, third in Philippines

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KALIBO, AKLAN — Aklan’s famed piña handloom weaving has been officially granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, becoming the third GI-registered product in the Philippines and the second in Western Visayas.

The Certificate of GI Registration was formally awarded on September 19 at the Marzon Convention Center in Kalibo, in a ceremony organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Aklan Provincial Office.

The event brought together representatives from national and local government units, academic institutions, fashion designers, MSMEs, piña weavers, and media outlets.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), led by Director General Atty. Brigitte M. Da Costa-Villaluz, issued the certificate, with Atty. Jesus Antonio Z. Ros of the Bureau of Trademarks presenting it to Anna India Legaspi, president of the Aklan Piña & Indigenous Fibers Manufacturers and Traders Association, Inc. (Aklan Piña Mantra).

DTI Region VI officials, including OIC Regional Director Ma. Dinda R. Tamayo, OIC Assistant Regional Director Mutya Eusores, and provincial directors from Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo, were present to show regional support.

Congratulatory messages came from several national and local leaders, including Senator Loren Legarda, TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, Aklan Representatives Jesus R. Marquez and Florencio T. Miraflores, Kalibo Mayor Juris B. Sucro, and Gabrielle “Billie” Calizo-Quimpo of Soroptimist International.

“It is a gift that will open opportunities, not just for Aklan but for the Philippines because of the reciprocal recognition of Geographical Indications with other countries,” said IPOPHL Director General Da Costa-Villaluz.

The GI status certifies that genuine Aklan Piña products meet a specific Manual of Specifications, covering raw material sourcing, fiber extraction, traditional weaving techniques, and labeling standards.

“We take pride in another GI award for Piña, making Region 6 the proudest with this recognition following that of Guimaras Mango,” said Tamayo.

“Piña is synonymous with Aklan, and this award goes beyond showcasing its finery, it is a label of the artisans’ craft, enduring, culture-rich and resilient — that also embody the geographical attributes of Aklan and the Aklanons.”

The GI designation is seen as a tool to boost export competitiveness, elevate incomes for local weavers and farmers, and prevent counterfeiting.

IPOPHL manages all intellectual property rights in the Philippines, while DTI assists producers with compliance, organization, and market access.

In Aklan, DTI Provincial Director Romel Amihan and his team coordinated with IPOPHL and local weaving associations to compile documentation, define product standards, and rally stakeholders for the GI application.

“The awarding of a Certificate of GI Registration is a recognition not only for our province, but a tribute as well to the diligence, creativity, and craftsmanship of our Aklanon weavers — an enduring legacy of our cultural heritage, now rightfully recognized and celebrated on both national and global stages,” said Amihan.

He emphasized that GI is more than a label, describing it as “a powerful branding tool that points to a place of origin, speaks of quality, advertises reputation, certifies unique characteristics, and protects consumers by ensuring authenticity.”

IPOPHL noted that GI registration elevates the global profile of Philippine products, as they are featured in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s published list.

Products must demonstrate a clear link between their qualities and geographic origin to qualify, a requirement many regions still find difficult to meet.

Globally recognized GIs include France’s Champagne and Cambodia’s Kampot Pepper, underscoring the international potential of Aklan Piña.

The recognition of Aklan Piña alongside Guimaras Mangoes affirms Western Visayas’ leadership in promoting culturally rooted and geographically linked goods.

DTI Region VI pledged continued assistance to other producers in securing GI protection for more local products across the region.