Guimaras mangoes reach Manila, Cebu in expanded campaign

The Department of Trade and Industry-Guimaras concluded the second year of its “Mangoes to the Metro” campaign, delivering 174 boxes of geographical indication-certified Guimaras mangoes to Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

Each box had a gross weight of five kilograms, including packaging, bringing the total shipment to 870 kilograms.

DTI said the campaign expands market access for Guimaras mango growers while bringing the province’s premium produce directly to households in major urban centers.

Launched in 2025, the campaign returned in 2026 in support of the Manggahan Festival, which ran from May 15 to 24.

Continued supplies of premium-quality mangoes and sustained consumer demand led organizers to extend the campaign through July 2, allowing more consumers to participate and creating additional income opportunities for growers and producers.

The expansion to Metro Cebu marked a significant development in the campaign’s second year, widening its reach beyond Metro Manila and strengthening domestic distribution channels.

The initiative was implemented through a partnership among DTI-Guimaras, the DTI Supply Chain and Logistics Group, the Province of Guimaras, the Philippine Postal Corp. and the Guimaras Mango Growers and Producers Development Cooperative.

The partners signed a memorandum of agreement to formalize a more efficient and reliable system for transporting fresh Guimaras mangoes from farms to consumers in key metropolitan markets.

The arrangement integrated production, logistics and marketing while helping preserve product freshness, quality and traceability throughout the delivery process.

DTI said the system also gave local farmers and producers greater access to high-value markets outside Guimaras.

Of the 174 boxes delivered, 148 went to customers in Metro Manila and 26 went to Metro Cebu.

The Province of Guimaras supported the campaign as part of its efforts to promote the local mango industry and improve livelihood opportunities for farmers.

The cooperative, led by President Ramy E. Pudadera, served as the principal supplier by consolidating premium-quality mangoes from accredited local growers.

PHLPost handled the timely and safe transportation of the fresh mangoes from Guimaras to customers in the two metropolitan markets.

The agreement was signed by PHLPost Area VI Director Benjie S. Yotoko, a lawyer and certified public accountant; DTI-Guimaras officer-in-charge Provincial Director Juvy D. Benliro; and Pudadera.

The agreement reaffirmed the partners’ commitment to improving market access, strengthening logistics and creating sustainable economic opportunities for Guimaras mango growers.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines registered Guimaras mangoes as the country’s first geographical indication on May 13, 2023. A geographical indication identifies a product whose qualities, reputation or characteristics are linked to its place of origin.

The official GI specifications describe Guimaras mangoes as having a sweetness of at least 16 degrees Brix. The fruit’s distinctive qualities are also linked to the island’s topography and calcareous and loamy soils.

Through “Mangoes to the Metro,” consumers in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu gained more convenient access to the premium product while directly supporting Guimaras mango farmers and producers.

DTI said the campaign demonstrated how cooperation among national agencies, local governments, producer organizations and logistics providers can strengthen agricultural value chains and improve market connectivity.

By linking producers directly with consumers, the initiative seeks to raise farmers’ incomes, reduce market barriers and improve the competitiveness of one of Guimaras’ flagship products.

DTI-Guimaras thanked the DTI Supply Chain and Logistics Group, the Province of Guimaras, PHLPost, the cooperative, participating mango growers and consumers for supporting the campaign’s second year.

The agency said “Mangoes to the Metro” supports DTI’s value chain development strategy by connecting local producers with larger markets, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and bringing GI Guimaras mangoes closer to consumers nationwide.