New road will ease access to Bukidnon’s Rafflesia flower sanctuary

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Bukidnon Province Road to Pave Way to Rafflesia Flower Sanctuary – image courtesey of Julie F. Barcelona – www.plnmedia.com

A newly 150-million peso road will provide easier access to tourists wanting to see Bukidnon’s largest flower sanctuary, say the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The  sanctuary is at Sitio Kalanganan, Barangay San Vicente, Baungon, Bukidnon.

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Also known as the Rafflesia Yard, it was declared a critical habitat of the largest flower in the Philippines, the “rafflesia schadenbergiana” also known as “bo-o” or “kolon busaw” to the Bogobo and Higaonon tribes of Bukidnon. It is also the second largest flower in the world, with a diameter that can reach up to 80 centimetres.

“Local and international tourists who want to see one of the largest flowers in the world are invited to visit Bukidnon as we have improved the tourism road to Rafflesia Yard in the municipality of Baungon,” local tourism chief Evelyn Barroso said.

Barroso said the newly concreted road would allow Baungon locals to showcase their place’s biodiversity, while promoting awareness of the protection of rafflesia, which is also categorised as critically endangered.

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Apart from its support to the tourism industry of Baungon, the 8km road is expected to provide easy transportation of people and goods to commercial and public places in Malaybalay City, consequently improving the lives of the people around the area.