Press Release
February 4, 2013

Senate gives nod to bill declaring Waling-Waling as national flower

The Senate today approved on third and final reading a bill declaring the Waling-Waling as a national flower, aside from Sampaguita.

Education, Arts and Culture Committee Chairman, Senator Edgardo Angara sponsored House bill No. 5655, authored by Representatives Garcia-Albano, Palmones and Primicias-Agabas.

"The Waling-Waling orchid is hereby declared as another national flower, together with Sampaguita, which was declared the national flower of the Philippines in Proclamation No. 652 on February 1, 1934 by Governor-General Frank Murphy," the proposed legislation said.

Angara said that unlike the Sampaguita, the Waling-Waling is native to the Philippines and endemic to Davao, Cotabato and Zamboanga.

"Orchid lovers all over the world consider the Waling-Waling as one of the most unique and beautiful native orchids in the world and that while some adore it, most Filipinos have forgotten its natural beauty," Angara added.

Senator Loren Legarda, who co-sponsored the measure, said "the approval of the measure will place the Waling-Waling under protection, as it will mandate the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources to promulgate rules and regulations that will protect, conserve, and propagate the waling-waling orchid together with Sampaguita."

The Waling-Waling comes from the orchid family and is known as the "Queen of Philippine Orchids. (OLIVE CAUNAN, PRIB)

News Latest News Feed