Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTHCONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 2580

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ
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| EXPLANATORY NOTE

Deforestation has been identified as one of the causes of flash
floods associated with climate change and global warming, which
has become a global concern, as more countries are beginning to
experience climate changes and its negative effect. In the past
years, typhoon Ondoy, Pedring, and Sendong had resulted to wide-
spread flash floods due to our denuded forest and water reservoirs-
the flash floods claimed thousands of lives, left numerous families
devastated, and send small and medium-scale business in the
affected areas reeling to ground.

On the other hand, Metro Manila and several provinces in
Luzon recently experienced water shortage for domestic use and
irrigation of agriculture lands as the water level in the major dams
like Angat, Ipo and San Roque wend down below critical level. As
an immediate response, government has to ration and reduce the
volume |allocated for users and consumers of water. Multiple
factors interplayed and contributed to this problem and one of them
is the worsening condition of the forest cover in the watershed areas
of these dams negatively impacting the water retentions capacity of
the forest.

We experienced a paradox where we experience water shortage
during dry season and flash floods during wet season. This is
primary due to denudation of our forest cover.


As an appropriate solution to this problem, reforestation has
become a major and priority concern of the state through the
National Greening Program (NGP) which was previously launched
by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Nevertheless, reforestation should also be the concern of every
citizen 7 residents alike.

As an effort of every citizen to help in the reforestation crusade
of the state, this measure requires the planting of two (2) tress for
every child born of a couple, one of tree fir the father and another
tree for the mother.

The number of trees to be planted as a result of this bill will be
very significant and it will effectively supplement the 1.5 billion
trees wo be planted by the DENR through its NGP, taking into
account) the thousands of babies that are born and Human
Development Report statistics almost 2 million babies are born in
the Philippines every year. 166,667 every month and 5,556
everyday; thereby assuring no less than 4 million trees yearly.

Furthermore, it will serve to develop the people’s awareness of
the need for reforestation and encourage tree planting as part of the
family’s concern and responsibility, hereby reviving the Filipino
tradition- whereby parents, as a sign of love and care for their
children, plant tree for them; and in turn, their children will take
care of these trees as a sign of love, respect and as living memories
for their parents.

To| ensure compliance with this compulsory measure, the
couple is required to execute a Joint Affidavit of Compliance sworn
to before the Punong Barangay of the place where they reside, or
the appropriate legal officer of the Provincial Environment and
Natural Resources Office (PENRO) or Community Environment and
Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in the area where they reside.
Thereafter, this joint-affidavit shall be submitted to the Civil
Registrar’s Office of the Municipality or City where the birth of the
child should be register as a requirements for the release if the
child’s Certificate of Live Birth.


This proposal has been deliberated and was unanimously
approved on 34 Reading during the 18" Congress and I hope that
this bill will get the support of my colleagues in this 19 Congress.

ee
EDWIN L. OLIV.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTHCONGRESS
First Regular Session

2580

House Bill No.

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ

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| AN ACT
REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES FOR EVERY
CHILD BORN TO THEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the
“Family Tree Planting Act”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of
the state to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature. Towards this end, the state shall promote and
pursue reforestation program and encourage tree planting as part of
the family’s responsibility and legacy to protect the environmental
and conserve our natural resources for the future generation.

Section 3. Mandatory Tree Planting - All parents residing in
the Philippines whether legally married or not, shall be required to


plant two (2) trees for every child born to them. These trees shall be
planted within the premises if their own home or in an area to be
designated by the Barangay Council where they reside, with the
approval of the Department and Natural Resources (DENR). The
planted species should be appropriate to the location, climate and
topography of the area, with preference for the planting of
indigenous species and fruit-bearing trees.

Section 4. Provision of Seedlings. - The Community
Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the
Dep: ent of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the
Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with local
government units (LGUs) throughout the Philippines, shall maintain
a seedling bank that will serve as a ready source of seedlings to be
provided to parents planting the tree under this Act.

Section 5. Tree Planting as a Requirement for Birth
Certificate Release. - To ensure compliance with this Act, the
local Civil Registry where the birth of the child shall be registered,
must only release the Certificate of Live Birth of the child upon the
presentation of parents’ sworn statement of compliance. The
affidavit must be sworn to before the Punong Barangay if the trees
were planted within the premises of the barangay; or before the
DENR office concerned if the trees were planted in a government-
designated area outside the barangay where the family resides.
Planting of the trees must be done within thirty (30) days after the
child’s birth.


Section: 6. Appropriations. The DENR Secretary shall
include in the Department’s program the implementing of this Act,
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The
DENR shall, in consultation with the DA, the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. Should any portion or
provision of this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid by
competent court, the other portion or provision hereof will remain in
full force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive
orders letters of implementation, rules and regulation or parts
thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby
repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in newspaper of
general circulation

Approved,