Floriculture, the practice of growing and marketing of flowers and ornamental plants, received a big boost during the first Mindanao International Floriculture Congress held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
“Floriculture goes beyond the aesthetic value; the industry plays a crucial role in stimulating economic growth and development,” said Macario D. Gonzaga, the executive director of the Davao regional office of the Department of Agriculture.
“The floriculture industry in Mindanao has seen remarkable growth over the years,” said Gonzaga in a speech that was read by Mary Ann Constantino. “It has become a vital contributor to the local economy, generating employment, boosting incomes, and supporting rural development.”
He added that the impact of the floriculture industry is extensive. “The industry’s impact is far reaching, encompassing not only flower growers but also those involved in the supply chain, including marketers, retailers, and exporters,” he stressed. “This interconnected web of economic activities highlights the industry’s role as a significant economic driver.”
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., the keynote speaker during the opening program, has the same view.
“The international floriculture congress provides us all with a venue to further strengthen partnerships and build new networks, here in the Philippines and abroad,” said Laurel, whose speech was read by Ruel Gesmundo, of the Bureau of Plant Industry.
“The theme, ‘Unity in Diversity: Floriculture Creating Harmony in the Landscape of Health and Wellness’ emphasizes the multiple roles of floriculture,” he added. “Its significance in health and wellness cannot be emphasized enough.”
Alma L. Uy, the co-chairperson of the congress and head of the Tagum City Tourism Council, was also very ecstatic that the congress was held in the city.
In her speech during the opening program held inside the city hall of Tagum, she emphasized that the floriculture sector fosters sustainable practices and creates new opportunities for the local industry involved in flower and ornamental plants.
“This event presents a unique opportunity to showcase our city’s commitment to excellence and our appreciation for rare ornamental plant business,” she pointed out.
Evelyn G. Laviña, co-chairperson of the congress and former agriculture undersecretary, also urged the stakeholder of the floriculture industry to foster interdependence among themselves.
“Private stakeholders working together to help one another grow, diversify and achieve unity, referral, networking, cooperation, collaboration, and complementation,” said Laviña, the president of the Floriculture Industry of Davao, Inc. “That works with us and it will work with you all. With a strategic alliance and multi-sectoral approach, but the most important is having an organization strengthen the relationship to everyone.”
Six stakeholders from Mindanao, particularly Davao City, were given recognition for their contribution to the development of the floriculture industry. They were Charita Puentespina, Salvacion Leuenburger, Silva Alegria, Alma Uy, Elsa Galang, and Dyel Suarez.
About 6 international delegates, 114 local traders, and more than 200 participants from across the country.
Of the 6 delegates, three were from Thailand (Alongkorn Chantaravipak, Yaowaluck Suwansat, and Kwang Kab), one from Ecuador (Daniela Acaro), also one from Malaysia (Chong Ngan), and another one from Japan (Takashi Kitayama).
The invited resource persons were Sappasiri Chaovinich, proprietor of Live with Plants in Bangkok, Thailand; Busayamas Udomphol, proprietor of Lanna Foliage Studio in Phrae, Thailand; and Sean William Salim, proprietor of Only Plants in Jakarta, Indonesia.
From the Philippines, the invited speakers were Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Caballero of Department of Agriculture , Flor de Hasmin Bayo of Bureau of Plant – National Plant Quarantine Services Division, and Maria Carmela Toreja of Vilelas Farm.
The Congress was sponsored by the City Government of Tagum through the initiatives of the Tagum City Tourism Arts and Culture Council Inc (TCTACCi) in partnership with the Floriculture Industry of Davao (FIDI) and Tagum City Floriculture Association ( TCFA). With full support from the Department of Agriculture, particularly from the High Value Crops Development Program (HVC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).
Port of Davao of the Bureau of Customs was event partner.
