THE Department of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-Davao) is setting the stage for the major comeback of the floriculture industry in Davao.
Winona Jane Aquino, the Regional Floriculture Focal for DA-Davao, shared to Davao media during the AgriBiz media forum on Friday, February 7, 2025, that the department will continue to fund and sponsor key activities and programs designed to elevate the industry.
A noteworthy event for this year is a summit set to take place in August, aligned with the Kadayawan sa Davao Festival, which will bring floriculture stakeholders together for collaboration and innovation.
The summit, according to Aquino, is an extension of the Mindanao International Floriculture Congress that was held in 2024. She said the success of last year’s congress has paved the way for this year’s event, with the agriculture government agency providing continued funding to ensure that the region’s floriculture industry remains a growing sector.
Aquino also emphasized that ornamental floriculture is now considered one of the priorities and emerging crops under the high-value crops program, underscoring its significance for Davao.
She reported that the impact of these efforts is already being felt as based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Davao is currently ranked third nationally in terms of ornamental flower production, a testament to the region's established role as a floriculture hub.
In line with these developments, Evelyn Laviña, President of the Floriculture Industry of Davao Incorporated (FIDI), also announced that this year’s summit will see collaboration between the local government of Davao, the City Tourism Operations Office, the City Agriculturist Office, and DA-Davao.
Laviña revealed that, unlike previous years when floriculture displays were held in a single large venue, this year’s event will feature a renewed focus on showcasing how plants can be integrated into landscaping projects across the city.
On the other hand, the official shared that the Kadayawan sa Davao celebrations will include several floriculture-centered activities, including the revival of the much-loved landscaping competition. This year’s exhibition will spotlight Davao’s prized orchids, particularly the Waling-waling and Vanilla varieties, showcasing their beauty and versatility in landscaping.
The collaborative efforts between the DA, local stakeholders, and the floriculture community are expected to foster even more growth in the industry. With continued support from the DA and active participation from the city and regional floriculturists, Laviña expressed her optimism that the floriculture sector is poised for an exciting and prosperous future.
In October 2024, FIDI, in partnership with the City Government of Tagum, the Tagum City Tourism Arts and Culture Council Inc., and the Tagum City Garden Club, successfully organized the International Floriculture Congress 2024. The event was designed to spotlight the dynamic floriculture industry in Mindanao, with a special focus on the Davao Region.
It also aimed to foster collaboration among ornamental growers, floriculture experts, and various stakeholders, bringing them together under the theme “Unity in Diversity: Floriculture Creating Harmony in the Landscape of Health and Wellness.” The gathering provided a platform to share insights and explore new opportunities for growth in the sector.
FIDI highlighted that the region is home to a diverse array of commercially cultivated flowers, including orchids, lilies, anthuriums (laceleaf), roses, chrysanthemums, gladiolus, and heliconias. These flowers are widely used in creating beautiful bouquets, flower arrangements, and decorative displays, playing an essential role in major local events such as Araw ng Davao and the Kadayawan Festival. DEF