THE FLORICULTURE Industry of Davao, Inc. (FIDI) pushed to strengthen the production and preservation of Vanda sanderiana or locally known as Waling-Waling.
Waling-Waling, the Philippine endemic orchid, is Davao’s pride and one of the city’s iconic symbols, closely linked to the Kadayawan Festival.
Before Kadayawan sa Davao Festival, there was Apo Duwaling: Mt. Apo, Durian, and Waling-Waling.
“We don’t like that our Waling-Waling will just remain an icon in tarpaulins,” FIDI president Evelyn Laviña said during the Habi at Kape media forum on Wednesday.
Laviña added that while the Waling-Waling is considered an icon, initiatives to preserve the flower in the city fall short.
“We are trying our best to put back that Davao is really the seat of the floriculture, we need our citizens to go back and appreciate again our orchids and other ornamental plants,” she added.
Laviña revealed there is an ongoing talk with the city government through the City Tourism to establish a botanical garden for the preservation of indigenous species and the promotion of tissue culture.
Tissue culture does not require the plant to be extracted from its natural habitat for propagation.
In a bid to showcase the floriculture industry of the city, FIDI is organizing a Floriculture and Agri-Trade Fair from Aug. 7-17, at the Ecoland Rotunda, Davao City Coastal Road.
About 26 exhibitors will showcase their ornamental houseplants and vie for the winner of the plant competition in various categories.
Laviña said this includes anthurium foliage, aglaonema, cacti and succulents, ferns, flowering plants, bromeliads, variegated plants, mixed genera, Philippine species, and philodendron.
The winner in every category will receive awards, and the Best in Show winner will receive P20,000 in cash.
Photo courtesy of Kadayawan sa Davao Facebook page
