Daily Tribune
Board Member Rundy Ebdane gives his message of support during the seminar-workshop on Geographical Indication (GI) at the Balin Sambali in the capitol town of Iba, Zambales on February 12, 2026.
Provincial Government
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Provincial Government held a seminar-workshop on Geographical Indication (GI) at the Balin Sambali in the capitol town of Iba, Zambales on 12 February 2026.
Led by the Provincial Agriculture Office-Zambales and the Zambales Mango Industry Corporation, the said workshop aims to boost and protect the unique product of the province, the Zambales mangoes.
According to Board Member Rundy Ebdane, Geographical Indication (GI) is an important mechanism that would provide protection and recognition of the products that have special qualities or reputation due to their origin.
He added that thru this, proper branding is ensured as well as the development of the local economy, alongside the increase in livelihood of local farmers and businessmen.
BM Ebdane represented Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. during the said workshop that was participated by Hon. Director Ralph Jarvis H. Alindogan, J.D., Atty. Irma Morcillo, Atty. Joyce R. Panlilio, Ms. Josephine J. Santiago, and Ms. Emmeliana C. Masanque from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
Engr. Allen Khristian M. Cruz, MIPD at G. Darwin D. Alejandro from the DA-Intellectual Property Management Office (DA-IPMO) were also present during the event.
Officials from Municipal Agriculture Officers/LGU Officers, PPDO, Assessor’s Office, PCLEDO, PEO, DOST, TESDA, DTI, and Mango Farm’s Owners/Presidents Associations took part in the workshop, while BM Ebdane provided a message of support from the Provincial Government.
“Lubos ang pasasalamat ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Zambales, sa pamumuno ni Gob. Jun Ebdane, sa Department of Agriculture sa patuloy na pagpapahalaga at pagsuporta sa mga produkto ng ating lalawigan. Sa tulong ng ganitong mga programa, mas mapapalago natin ang ating lokal na produkto at maipapakita sa buong bansa at sa mundo ang kalidad ng Zambales Mangoes,” he said.
The Zambales mango industry, famed for producing the world’s sweetest Carabao mango variety (Sweet Elena) recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1995, is undergoing a P50-million rehabilitation through the “Green Mango Valley” project to increase yields from 2.3 to over 12 tons per hectare.
