FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
s.8.---.2448 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Trees are nature's lungs. The oxygen they produce help control air pollution, so that 
it is only right to nurture and cherish them. The environment is crying out for our attention, 
love and nurturing and is hurting due to our negligence. The wanton destruction and cutting 
of trees have largely contributed to the deterioration and degradation of our environment. 
The denudation of our forests has led to the loss of the natural protection that forest 
provides from the destruction of floods, typhoons, erosions and destruction of watersheds. 
Flash floods and soil erosion have become the country's greatest problems, leaving billions 
of pesos worth of damage to properties and numerous human lives lost. Indeed, there is a 
need to replenish our tree resources in order to curve the effects of global warming, save 
our watersheds from drying up, prevent landslides and flashfloods, and prevent our lands 
from depleting its nutrients thru soil erosion. 
Restoring our forest cover to protect and preserve the environment should be at the 
core of every governmental agenda. However, tree planting has not been given the 
importance that it deserves. During the last century, a specific day every year was set aside 
to be dedicated to tree planting when standing trees were deemed insufficient for 
beautification and ecological purposes. Since then, the celebration became known as Arbor 
Day. It is the day to praise Mother Nature for the bounty of lush greeneries it offers and a 
day for individuals to renew their commitment to protect the environment. 
In the Philippines, Proclamation No. 643 dated June 9, 2004 amending Proclamation 
No. 396 dated June 2, 2003, declares every 25th of June as Philippines' Arbor Day to be 
observed nationwide by planting trees and ornamental plants and other forms of related 
activities. Said Proclamation however, did not address the issue of forest denudation nor 
help in promoting a healthier ecosystem for the people. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to declare an Arbor Day in the Philippines, mandating all 
local government units to set aside one day each calendar year for the planting of trees. It 
aims to enlist the participation of the various sectors of society in restoring the grandeur of 
our forest lands. Indeed, there is really a need for a collaborative effort between the State 
and its citizenry to fulfill the constitutional mandate that: "The State shall protect and 
advance the rig ht of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the 
rhythm and harmony of nature." 
Considering the significance of Arbor Day and the current relevance of giving 
impetus to forest conservation, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. 2448 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
AUTHORIZING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO DECLARE A DAY 
DEDICATED TO TREE PLANTING TO BE KNOWN AS "ARBOR DAY", 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES' 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines In 
Congress assembled: 
SEC. 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Arbor Day Act of 2010". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
protect and advance the right of the people to a balance and healthful ecology in accord 
with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end, the vital role and importance 
of trees in ecological stability is recognized. Hence, there is a need for a collaborated 
effort between the State and its citizenry to combat the loss of our natural resources and 
rejuvenate our environment by undertaking a nationwide tree-planting activities and 
providing effective measures for their maintenance and sustainability. 
SEC. 3. Coverage - This Act shall apply to all provinces, cities, municipalities 
and their component barangays. 
SEC. 4. Proclamation of Arbor Day - All provinces, cities and municipalities 
with their component barangays shall be required to declare an Arbor Day or Tree-
planting Day, by appropriate proclamation of their respective local chief executive 
through an ordinance passed by the respective local Sanggunian, at a fixed date every 
calendar year as shall be deemed conducive to the proper time and season for planting 
trees in the respective localities. Although adoption of uniform dates for its celebration 
shall be encouraged, varying dates may be allowed in order to afford flexibility in the 
planning and implementing of the programs for tree planting. Provided, however: That 
the Arbor Day designated may be declared as a public holiday in order to ensure the 
participation of the different sectors of society and such declaration may be embodied in 
the proclamation that local chief executives are authorized to do under this Act. 
SEC. 5. Creation of Arbor Day Committee - There shall be created in every 
province, city and municipality an Arbor Day Celebration Committee the composition of 
which shall be selected by the concerned local chief executive. The members shall 
preferably, composed of field officers of various government agencies, based in the 
locality, but not limited to the following: 
. 
a. Local Sanggunian; 
b. Local Environment and Natural Resource's Office; 
c. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); 


d. Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI); 
e. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
f. 
Department of Education (DepEd); 
g. Commission.on Higher Education (CHED); 
h. Department of Agriculture (DA); 
I. 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); 
J. 
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); 
k. Department of Tourism (DOT); 
I. 
Philippine National Police (PNP); 
m. Liga ng mga Barangay; 
n. Civic Organizations; 
o. Sangguniang Kabataan (SK); and 
p. Media Associations. 
SEC. 6. Supply and Distribution of Seedlings - The Bureau of Plant Industry 
(BPI) shall supply and distribute the seedlings to the local government units for the Tree 
Planting Program. 
, 
SEC. 7. Planting of Trees - All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are 
at least 1'2 years of age, shall be required to plant one tree every year. 
SEC. 8. Areas Covered by Tree Planting - The tree planting activities shall be 
done in any of the following areas: 
a. Private Lands; 
b. Public school grounds, gardens or other available areas within the school 
premises; 
c. Idle or vacant public lands; 
d. Public parks in urban and rural areas; 
e. Public lands such as roadside, along city and municipal streets and highways; 
and 
f. Private schools, parks and lands with the consent of the owner thereof. 
SEC. 9. Maintenance of Trees - The Barangay Officials and deputized non-
governmental organizations shall be responsible for the maintenance of such trees. 
SEC. 10. Information and Monitoring - For information and monitoring 
purposes, all local government units shall submit to the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), the actual date of the Arbor Day Celebration in their respective 
locality. 
SEC. 11. Funding - For the initial implementation of this Act, there is hereby 
authorized to be created a fund to be derived from the budget of the Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG) not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter, said 
funds shall be included in the annual budget of this department. 
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SEC. 12. Implementing Rules -
The Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), in coordination with the local government units and the Department 
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), shall promulgate the rules and 
regulatiot:ls to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 13. Separability Clause -If any provision of this Act or any part thereof be 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue in full force and effect. 
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, proclamations, 
executive orders, or regulations and other issuances inconsistent with the provisions 
and/or purposes of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the official gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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