The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture has approved a bill declaring the waling-waling as the national flower of the Philippines.
The panel chaired by Cebu Rep. Ramon Durano VI approved House Bill 1561 replacing sampaguita as the national flower. HB 1561 was filed by House Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano.
“If waling-waling shall be saved, protected, regulated, and its industry developed, it could be the single biggest dollar earner for the country and would contribute to the economic growth of the Filipinos, ” Garcia-Albano said.
Waling-waling, the best orchid variety in the country, is scientifically known as Vanda Sanderiana and was featured in a version of the five-centavo coin.
It used to abound in the tropical forests of Mount Apo, Davao, and Zamboanga del Sur. It is considered as the queen of Philippine flowers. (Charissa L. Atienza)
