BONTOC, Mtn. Prov.– The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) was asked to enact an ordinance declaring the Mountain Lily as the official provincial flower as it is being used in the provincial logo.
In a letter to the august body dated July 5, 2019, the SP was again reminded of the previous request of more than a year ago but which up to now is unacted upon for the proposed declaration of the Mountain Lily as the provincial flower.
The Mountain Lily has a scientific name as Leucocrinum montanum, is a perennial that grows from a deep caudex in dryish sandy soil. Six to fifteen leaves, 4-8″ long, basal, grow surrounded by papery bracts. The scented flowers are white with six tepals, growing about 1.5-2 ft. wide and 2-3 ft. tall on long tubes.
It grows in rocky mountain slopes which are located abundantly and ideal for Mountain Province.
It is being used in the currently being used blue provincial logo which in itself is hounded by controversy for being not formally recognized through an ordinance. Hence, it is not being used by some national line agencies.
Another petals below of the Mountain Lily in the provincial logo belong to the “Tue tree” which has been adopted in a separate ordinance as the provincial tree.
In a previous inquiry on the matter to help in the crafting of an ordinance if Benguet is using a similar flower in their own respective provincial logo, it was found out that Benguet is using the everlasting lily and not the mountain lily.
The significance of the mountain lily in the provincial logo is being invoked as necessary to adopt it as the provincial flower.
Meanwhile, adoption of a single official provincial logo is also being pushed. There are two provincial logos being used in the province which confuses the offices and personalities that use them.
“We reiterate that these measures should be enacted for the benefit of the province”, stated the letter referring to the declaration of the mountain lily as provincial flower and the adoption of a single official provincial logo.**Roger Sacyaten
