Mindanao Collective Trademark pacts forged
THE Mindanao Collective Trademark (MCT) was given its first push with the creation of the MCT Decision Body and the MCT Knowledge Center on April 6 at the “Mindanao Today, Mindanao Tomorrow” forum in Davao City.
The Mindanao Collective Trademark will serve as a common marketing tool for all certified Mindanao products. It aims to encourage Mindanao enterprises to improve by voluntarily adopting standards or practices of certification such as GlobalGAP, FairTrade, Certified Organic, MSC, Rainforest Alliance, among others. This will improve the marketability of Mindanao products, as they become third party-certified according to these voluntary standards.
MCT Knowledge Center was formed with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Mindanao Development Authority headed by Sec. Datu HJ Abul Khayr Alonto and 29 academic institutions and agencies in support of the Mindanao Collective Trademark. The MCT Knowledge Center will provide a pool of multidisciplinary experts from the academic institutions, industry associations, and private sector, to support the enterprises in adopting standards and aligning their management practices to standards set out in order to prepare them for auditing and certification, as well as facilitate and collaborate extension services/activities with academe, line agencies, and industry players.
Decision Body was also formed with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement by the members of the body composed of Philippine Exporters Confederation Region 11 (PhilExport 11), Mindanao Business Council, UP Mindanao, Udenna Corporation, and Mindanao Development Authority. The Body will deliberate and approve the Collective Trademark Design, Slogan, Claim, and Corporate Design, the rules for granting the trademark, and approve the voluntary standards for certification recognized by MCT. The Decision Body will be supported by an advisory group.