Sagada, Mountain Province — The Municipal Council of Sagada has unanimously passed two resolutions against misrepresentation and misuse of “SAGADA” as a business name, brand name/label on products, services or of establishments.
Sagada Mayor James B. Pooten Jr. approved on September 14, 2020 resolution no. 195-2020 and resolution no. 196-2020 requesting the Department of Trade and Industry and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to get the consent of the LGU of Sagada before issuing business registration to any person or group who intends to use “SAGADA” as a business name or brand name on products, services or of establishments.
“There are concerns about products being sold especially online with the label of “SAGADA” on them with at prices half the price set for original Sagada products and products that are not in reality manufactured or even produced in our place that resulted to the outbursts against the quality and durability of those products people bought online just because they bore the label.” The two resolutions state.
The measure underscores the need to protect the name “SAGADA” from exploitation as brand, business name and label.
“It is very alarming that the careless use of Sagada as a product level or as a name of an establishment has devaluated the reputation of the municipality and the continuous misrepresentation may elicit a more serious problem especially in the economic endeavors of Sagada.” The resolution added.
With the growing popularity of Sagada as tourist destination among locals and foreign tourists, locally produced and crafted products increased in demands and become a signature etched in the label that can be easily recognized among those who visited and had an experience. Sagada products bear the quality and ingenuity that is represented in the name.
In Baguio city market, imported products like oranges are being labeled as “Sagada Oranges”. (Joe Manzano)