HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
pare, 05 SEP 2016
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

House BILLNO. 3446

Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS,

AN ACT
REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT TWO TREES FOR EVERY CHILD BORN TO
THEM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The effects of climate change can now be felt by everyone. The sudden
unpredictable weather conditions, typhoons, floods, rising sea water levels and the
like, The mangroves that used to protect areas along the coastlines are now gone
and the trees that used to hold water from the uplands have disappeared
Admittedly, human activities contributed to this situation as we allowed the denuding
of our forests and we are now experiencing the wraths of nature, When strong
downpour occurs, floods immediately fill us, Lives and properties have been lost and
will continue to claim if we will not do something to prevent, if not mitigate the effects
of climate change, Thus, we need to urgently address this situation and avert further
harm

A simple contribution to mitigate the effects of climate change is hereby
proposed: tree planting for every child born to couples. With the brisk increase in
population, requiring parents of new born children to plant trees will greatly help the
environment. Though it cannot be felt right away, the long effect of this proposal may
be felt by the future generations

With the foregoing considerations, the approval of this bill is eamestly
requested



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3446

Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

AN ACT
REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT TWO TREES FOR EVERY CHILD BORN TO.
THEM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

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 of 2016

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes the prevailing climate
change and global warming brought about by human activity, and which have been
experienced by countries world-wide. Likewise, the State recognizes that in the last

three years, typhoons have caused wide-spread flash floods that devastated
different areas of the country, claimed thousands of lives, and caused massive
damage to properties. Reforestation has thus become a primary concern of the
State, which had recently launched the National Greening Program through the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Supplemental thereto, it is the
policy of the State of involve the Filipino people in the conservation of our natural
resources, particularly the State's reforestation project under the National Greening
Program, and in the process, encourage tree planting as part of the family's concern
and responsibility, thereby reviving the Filipino tradition — whereby parents, as a sign
of love for their children, plant trees 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


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SEC. 3. Mandatory Family Tree Planting. - Each couple residing in the
Philippines, shall be required to plant or cause to plant two (2) trees for every child
bor to them, These trees shall be planted within the premises of their family home
If the same is not possible, the same shall be planted in the areas to be designated
by the concerned Provincial Environment and Natural Resources to be designated
by the concemed Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)

where they reside

SEC. 4, Ownership of trees. - Ownership of the trees planted pursuant to
this Act shall pertain to the parents or the child for whom the trees were planted,

regardless of location, including those planted in public lands or along highways.

SEC. 5. Joint Affidavit Attesting to Compliance. ~ As prerequisite for the
release of the birth certificate by the City or Municipality where the child was born,
the Local Civil Registrar of the said City or Municipality shall require an affidavit over
the child attesting that they have planted two (2) trees in compliance with the
requirement of this Act, and sworn before the Punong Barangay where they reside if
the trees were planted within the premises of the family home, or before the
appropriate legal officer of the PENRO or CENRO if the trees were planted in
Government sites.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources shall issue the necessary rules and regulations
to carry into effect the purpose of this Act

SEC. 7. Penal Provision. - Any violation of this Act by any civil registrar
shall be penalized by a suspension for fifteen (15) days or fine of Five thousand
Pesos (P5,000,00), or both, at the discretion of the court, for the first offense
suspension of one (1) month or a fine of Ten thousand Pesos (P10,000,00), or both
at the discretion of the court, for the second offense; and for the third offense, the
erring Local Civil Registrar shall be dismissed from the office, The prosecution of
violations committed by the erring Local Civil Registrar shall be without prejudice to

the filing of a criminal case against the guilty parents or parent


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SEC. 8. Appropriation.

The sums necessary for the implementation of this
Act, including but not limited to the seedlings to be planted pursuant to this Act shall

be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act
SEC. 9. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall be effective fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general

circulation

Approved,