The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance adopting everlasting as the official flower of the city.
Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, everlasting flower is also known in other common names such as immortelle, golden everlasting, paper daisy, yellow paper flower and straw flower. It lasts long and remains beautiful either fresh or dried. Endurance and longevity symbolize strength and resilience of the everlasting flower much like the strength and resilience of the city and its people.
The ordinance claimed that despite urbanization, the city was able to retain its cultural and indigenous identity by blending tradition with contemporary and embracing cultural diversity with inclusivity.
Further, the rich and vibrant colors of everlasting flowers represent the rich culture and countless resources that stimulate the economy and spur growth in all aspects of development. Like the garland of everlasting, the city and its people stand strong, intertwined by common aspirations and embodies the city’s unique charm.
The ordinance created a committee composed of the City Mayor as chairperson, the City Administrator as vice chairperson, the City Tourism Officer as action officer and the City Environment and Parks Management Officer, Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection, Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Tourism, Special Events, Parks and Playgrounds, 2 representatives from the private sector engaged in horticulture and 2 representatives from the Baguio Tourism Council as members to lead in the formulation of policies and guidelines for the effective and efficient implementation of the proposed measure.
The ordinance provided an initial appropriation of P1 million which shall be allotted annually and shall be included in the annual budget of the City Administrator’s Office subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
The ordinance explained that everlasting communicates the city’s identity, since the plant grows best in full sun and thrives best in high altitudes like Baguio and Tagaytay.
In 1991, the city council adopted Resolution No. 99, series of 1991 which adopted everlasting as the official flora of the city after several names of rare flora was recommended for the said purpose.
The ordinance stipulated that everlasting flower is very popular and synonymous with the city as the plant is visible in some city barangays as it adapts well to local conditions. By Dexter A. See
