14* Congressof the Republic 
) 
9 JUN 31) 
PA ' 7 
of the Philippines 
) 
1st Regular Session 
1 
I 
SENATE 
S. No. 274 
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimmtel, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to require all residential subdivisions to set aside an area 
exclusively devoted to trees and plants that have ecological and scenic value as a 
way of harmonizing infrastructure development with the ecological improvement 
of the environment. 
Under this bill, Government will help provide seedlings needed to keep the 
subdivision parks green. 
The importance of this bill cannot be stressed in the wake of the recent 
tragedy that befd many Filipinos during the heavy rains and floods that swept the 
country. This bill is actually a companion bill on illegal logging, banning 
commercial logging for the next twenty-five (25) years. Both bills are intended to 
restore ecological balance. 
In view of the foregoing, the bd's passage is earnestly requested. 
AQ~ILINO 
Q. PIMENTEL, JR. 


14& Congress of the Republic 
) 
7 JJ?! 30 p .ti :c’ 
of the Philippines 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. - 
274 
~ 
- 
~~ 
~ 
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel,]r. 
AN ACT 
GRANTING 
INCENTIVES 
TO 
SUBDIVISION 
HOMI30WNERS 
ASSOCIATIONS TO DEVJXOP AND MAINTAIN FORESTED AREAS 
WITHIN THIlIR SUBDMSIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as The Green Parks Act of 
2007.“ 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Art. 11, Section 16 of the Constitution 
provides that The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a 
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and haxmony of nature“. 
In l i e  with this, the State hereby grants incentives for the development and 
maintenance of foreskd mas within subdivision projects so that a balanced and 
healthy environment will exist within the community. 
SEC. 3. Defiiition of Terms. - When used in this Act, the following terms 
shall, unless the context otherwise indicate, have the following respective 
meanings: 
(a) “Subdiwision Project” refers to a tract or parcel of land registered under 
Act. No. 4%. partitioned primarily for residential purposes into individual lots, 
With or without improvements thereon, and offered to the public for sale, in cash 
or installment terms. It shall include all residential, commercial, industrial and 


recreational areas, as well as open spaces and other community and public areas in 
the project. 
(b) “Asmiatiopi” refers to the association of homeowners within the 
subdivision, organized primarily to promote the best interest and well-being, as 
well as safeguard the welfare, of the residents and owners of property in the 
subdivision project. 
(c) ”Green pmk” refers an area, designated on the subdivision plan of 
forested land, developed and maintained by the Association, reserved for public 
use as an ecological refuge. Such green park shall be devoted exclusively to the 
planting and growing of trees of any kind, flowering or ornamental plants and 
shrubs, or pIants of scenic, aesthetic and ecological values. 
(d) “Burem“ refers to the Bureau of Forest Development. 
SEC. 4. Area. - The area of one green park shall be at least be five percent 
(5%) of the total gross area of the subdivision project. 
SEC. 5. Requirements, - In order to avail of the benefits granted under 
Section 7 hereof, the Association shall submit to the Bureau the plans for the 
development and maintenance of the green park, which shall include: 
(a) The subdivision plan as approved by the Director of Lands, as provided 
for under the second paragraph of Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 957; 
(b) An indication of the types of trees and plants planted and grown in the 
green park; and 
(c) A plan for the maintenance of the green park, to ensure its ecological 
viability, as well as evidence of actual application thereof for at least one (1) year. 
SEC. 6. Issunrice of CertificQtion. - Upon the submission of all the 
requirements mentioned in Section 5 hereof, the Bureau shall issue a certification to 
this effect. The Bureau shalI also have the power to determine whether the 


development and maintenance plans for the green park meet the standards that 
the Bureau shall promulgate, to ensure that the green park creates a balanced and 
healthful ecoiogy within the community. No certification shall be issued should 
the development and maintenance plans fail to meet such standards. 
The catification shall be the basis, upon application by the Association with 
the proper agency or authority, for the grant of the benefits under Section 7 hereof. 
SEC. 7. Benefits. - Upon presentation of the certification, as provided for 
under the second paragraph of Section 6 hereof, the Association shall be entitled to 
the following benefits 
(a) The Bureau of Plant Industry shall provide the Association with tree and 
plant seedlings for planting in the green park for free; and 
(b} The city or municipal government where the green park is located shall 
provide the Association with tools and implements, for free to be used exclusively 
for the maintenance of the green park. 
SEC. 
8. 
Prohibition. - In no case shall any artificial structure or 
improvement be constructed within the boundaries of the green park, unless such 
artificial structures or improvements are absolutely necessary for the development 
and maintenance of the Green park, as well as the preservation of the ecological 
system contained therein. 
SEC. 
9. Cancellation of Certifiation. - If at any the, the Bureau 
determines, upon application of any person, that the state and condition of the 
green park ceases to serve its purpose, or that the standards of the Bureau are no 
longer met, the Bureau shall cancel its certification. Such cancellation shd result to 
the withdrawal of all benefits already granted or availed of under Section 7 hereof 
and no benefits may be furkher availed of by the Association. 


SBC. 10. Re-application. - If, within a reasonable time, as determined by 
the Bureau, from the time of the cancellation of the certification, as provided for 
under Section 9 hereof, the Bureau approves a re-application by the Association for 
the certification, as provided for under Section 5 of this Act, the benefits granted 
under Section 7 hereof may be availed of pursuant to the terms and conditions 
provided for under Section 6 and Section 9. 
SEC 11, Rcpeahg Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of 
instruction, proclamations, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act shall be 
modified, amended or repealed accordiigly. 
SEC. 12. Separability Cluuse. - If for any cause, any part of provision of 
this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the rqainder or any part or 
provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 23. Eflectivfty. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Officinl G a f f e  or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,