Alburquerque’s Asin Tibuok joins 

list of protected Philippine products

By Elvira C. Bongosia 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The Asin Tibuok from Alburquerque town is now one of the country’s cultural and economic treasures after the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) officially approved its registration as Geographical Indication (GI).

GI is a label that identifies a product as originating from a specific territory, region, or locality, where its unique quality, reputation, or other characteristics are attributable to its geographical origin and/or human factors.

IPOPHL registers these GIs to protect products, prevent public deception, promote consumer confidence, and enhance the economic competitiveness of local producers.

IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said the approval of the Asin Tibuok as a GI supports the preservation of culture and the way of life while also bolstering branding, market access and revenue opportunities for communities.

During a ceremony organized alongside an IP Key Southeast Asia workshop with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, IPOPHL officially turned over the GI certificate to the Alburquerque municipal government.

Councilors Jacqueline Buates and Francisneil Teves, along with Municipal Tourism Officer Dina Manlangit, received the certificate on behalf of the municipality.

Preserving the country’s culinary heritage

The Asin Tibuok is a traditional sea salt made through a labor-intensive, centuries-old technique that involves the burning of coconut husks, ash filtration and the boiling of seawater in specialized clay pots to create the dense, egg-shaped salt masses.  

Asin means “salt” and Tibuok means “whole,” perfectly describing the physical appearance of this artisanal salt that endures in Alburquerque, the last bastion of a dwindling cultural heritage craft. 

Unrefined and additive-free, the salt contains halite, a natural form of sodium chloride, and is known for its smoky, sweet flavor blended with a coconut aroma. 

Following its official registration, gratitude filled the heart of Veronica Salupan, a third-generation asindero from Tan Inong Asin Tibuok Kabilin in Alburquerque.

“Salamat sa Ginoo! Ang kabilin sa katiguwangan nahatagan og pasidungog, nga kanhi wala ilha tungod kay ordinary ra. Pero karon nahatagan na tungod sa pagkugi ug pag-amping,” Salupan said.

(Thank God! The legacy of our ancestors has been given honor. It was once seen as ordinary, but now it is recognized because of our hard work and care.)

Revenue opportunities

Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado said the recognition that was granted to Asin Tibuok not only ensures its preservation but is also expected to translate to revenue opportunities for the local community.

“Kini nga pag-apruba nagasuporta sa pagpreserbar sa kultura ug pamaagi sa kinabuhi, samtang nagpalig-on usab sa branding, market access, ug revenue opportunities alang sa atong mga komunidad,” Aumentado said.

(This approval supports the preservation of our culture and way of life, while also strengthening branding, market access, and revenue opportunities for our communities.)

Aumentado added that this has also made a huge impact on the livelihood of the people.

“Bisan pa man sa kalisod ug kakugi nga kinahanglan sa proseso sa paghimo sa Asin Tibuok, daku kini’g natampo sa panginabuhian sa atong mga kaigsuonan – gikan sa pagkuha sa materyales sama sa bunot, kahoy, ug uban pa, daghan ang naka-benepisyo sa padayon nga paghimo sa maong bahandi,” the governor added.

(Despite the difficulty and hard work required in the process of making Asin Tibuok, it has contributed greatly to the livelihood of our people – from obtaining materials such as coconut husk, wood, and others, many have benefited from the continued production of this treasure).

With its registration, the Alburquerque Asin Tibuok joins Guimaras Mangoes and Aklan Piña as the Philippines’ officially recognized GIs, marking a milestone in protecting local heritage and uplifting Bohol’s traditional industries. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)