Bicol eyed for elemi essential oil development
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has entered into a five-year partnership with South Korean intellectual property agencies to boost elemi essential oil production in Bicol.
The memorandum of understanding was recently signed by the IPOPHL, Ministry of Intellectual Property of Korea (MOIP), Korea Invention Promotion Association (Kipa) and Orgullo Kan Bikol Association (OKB).
This agreement covers cooperation on equipment use, sustainable harvesting and branding of elemi oil, an essential oil distilled from the resin of the Canarium luzonicum trees.
The partnership, which has been underway since January 2025, involves the development and deployment of specialized elemi oil extraction technology designed for producers in Bicol.
As part of the project, IPOPHL and Kipa conducted field research. They also developed and installed extraction equipment and rolled out training programs for local users. A year-end demonstration was also held to present initial results.
IPOPHL says the initiative aims to address challenges faced by micro, small and medium enterprises, such as low production yields, labor-intensive processes and safety risks associated with improvised distillation systems.
Under the newly signed agreement, MOIP and Kipa will lead the research, design and development of the extraction technology and branding. IPOPHL, on the other hand, will oversee implementation and monitoring through its Bureau of Trademarks.
Meanwhile, OKB will handle site preparation, operations, safety and community engagement.
“It is a collective affirmation that innovation, when guided by purpose, can uplift communities; that intellectual property, when made accessible and meaningful, can empower local industries; and that international cooperation, when rooted in trust, can open doors to long-term, sustainable development,” IPOPHL acting Director General Nathaniel Arevalo says.
Kipa vice president Kim Dong-wan says the technology and branding components of the project are expected to deliver tangible benefits to the local economy, helping position Bicol’s elemi products in international markets.
“This collaboration enables us to preserve and strengthen the heritage through science, technology and intellectual property protection, ensuring that our traditions continue to thrive in a modern global context,” says Erika Pereña, association president of OKB.
