Senate passes Legarda’s bill declaring Waling‑waling as National Orchid

The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2092 under Committee Report No. 58, principally authored and principally sponsored by Senator Loren Legarda, in a special session held on June 17, 2026.

Legarda said the passage is a landmark in the country’s effort to protect biodiversity and strengthen cultural identity.

“This step affirms our heritage and our duty. By declaring the Waling‑waling as National Orchid, we give recognition to its place in our culture and ensure that its protection becomes part of our national commitment,” Legarda said.

A similar measure was filed by Legarda in 2012 to recognize the Waling‑waling as an additional National Flower alongside the Sampaguita. That measure passed both Houses during the 15th Congress but was vetoed. The current bill provides a clearer designation by declaring the Waling‑waling as the National Orchid, complementing existing national symbols without altering the Sampaguita’s status under Proclamation No. 652.

Endemic to the forests of Mindanao, particularly in Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga, the Waling‑waling is celebrated as the ‘Queen of Philippine Orchids.’ Its survival has been threatened by deforestation and overharvesting, making conservation efforts urgent.

The measure mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to lead conservation and propagation programs, while the National Museum of the Philippines will document and promote its scientific and cultural significance.

Legarda emphasized that national symbols are more than emblems of pride; they are instruments of education and unity.

“Our symbols must inspire responsibility. By elevating the Waling‑waling, we remind our people that protecting biodiversity is inseparable from protecting our future. This declaration is a pledge of stewardship and a call to safeguard what is uniquely ours,” Legarda said.

With the approval of the measure, the Waling‑waling will join the Sampaguita and other national symbols that embody the country’s identity, unity, and enduring commitment to conservation. (30)