Quezon seeks origin status for iconic ‘lambanog’

LUCENA CITY — Quezon province is pursuing Geographical Indication (GI) status for its iconic coconut-based liquor, lambanog, to protect the product’s identity and heritage, strengthen its market recognition, and expand business opportunities for local producers.

The initiative, dubbed “Tatak at Pinagmulan: Tungo sa Geographical Indication (GI) ng Lambanog ng Quezon” (Brand and Origin: Toward a Geographical Indication for Quezon Lambanog), involves a series of stakeholder consultations led by the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center in Calabarzon in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Quezon and other members of the technical working group, according to a report released on Wednesday by the provincial government’s Public Information Office (PIO).

The consultations were held in Tayabas City, Sariaya, Lopez, and Lucena City, drawing participants from across the lambanog industry, including private-sector representatives, small-scale processors, and coconut farmers from Mauban, Tayabas City, Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Catanauan, Macalelon, Lopez, and Guinayangan.

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Participants discussed the concept and importance of GI recognition and profiled lambanog producers and coconut farmers. The process aimed to document their experiences, current conditions, production and processing methods, challenges, and needs.

“The information gathered will serve as the basis for documenting the distinctive characteristics, traditions, and production methods that link Quezon Lambanog to its place of origin,” the PIO said.

Geographical Indication identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical area when its qualities, reputation, or other characteristics are linked to that place of origin.

The initiative seeks to protect lambanog’s distinctive identity, reputation, and quality while creating opportunities to broaden its market reach, the PIO said.

Pursuing GI status is also expected to strengthen public recognition of the product, preserve local traditions and provide greater market opportunities for Quezon’s lambanog producers.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) says GI registration helps prevent misleading claims about a product’s geographical origin, strengthens consumer confidence, expands market access, and creates opportunities for higher revenues for producers.

The Philippines established its current GI registration system in 2022, providing a framework to protect products whose qualities, reputation, or other characteristics are linked to their geographical origin.

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Quezon is known for lambanog, a distilled alcoholic beverage made from coconut sap. The fresh sap, locally known as “tuba,” is collected from coconut flower stalks by “mangangarit,” who climb coconut trees to gather the raw material.

The sap is fermented and distilled to produce lambanog, a traditional Quezon product also marketed internationally as a distilled coconut spirit./coa