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Republic of the Philippines \ BY: er

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _257/1

introduced by Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The waves of development actually transcend boundaries. But they carry with them, emerging
issues, concerns, and tasks that necessitate a strong position by the city or the municipal
corporation as in the case of our local government units (LGUs) in being able to draw an
environment strategic plan and undertake the management of the environment in the areas of
air, land, sea, water, food, waste, energy and climate change.

The creation of an Office of Environment in every city and/or municipality throughout the
Philippines is designed to strengthen at the local government units strong coordination and
collaboration between and among various public, private, and foreign agencies toward a
common Environment Strategic Plan and the sound management of environment projects,
programs, and activities.

The role of every local government unit cannot be underestimated in all matters of environment
= from management, practices, and stewardship — since it is the primary stakeholder and
beneficiary of an Environment Strategic Plan, the implementation of which is in its best position
and more conscientious leadership to do so.

The immediate passage of this humble measure is therefore a



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

2571

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT IN EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF A COMMON ENVIRONMENT
STRATEGIC PLAN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:
Section 1. This Act shall be known as ‘The Office of Environment Act.’

Sec. 2. There shall hereby be created in every city and/or municipality throughout the
Philippines an Office of Environment to manage a common environment strategic plan and
undertake such projects related to air, land, water, food, waste, energy and climate change.

Sec. 3. Toward this end, concerned government agencies at the national, provincial and local
levels shall coordinate and collaborate with one another for the effective implementation of an
Environment Strategic Plan toward a balanced ecology.

Sec. 4. The Local Government Unit shall serve the as the Office of Primary Responsibility
toward the management and administration of all environment projects based on a sound
environment plan relating to air, land, sea, water, food, waste, energy and climate change.

Sec. 5. Upon the effectivity of this Act, its initial funding of ten million pesos shall be taken from
the Internal Revenue Allotment of concerned city and/or municipality and thereafter sourced
from the various concerned public, private, and/or foreign agencies mandated to undertake
environment-related functions and advocacies.

Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days upon its publication in the Official Gazette and
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,