Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1568 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to require the planting of trees for any construction of residential, 
commercial, industrial and public buildings. This bill has already been approved by the 
House of Representatives on its 3rd and final reading in the 17th and 18th Congress. It is now 
being filed to further support the State’s campaign against climate change and global 
warming. This legislative initiative is anchored on the constitutional mandate under Section 
16, Article II, of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which declares that “the State shall protect 
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the 
rhythm and harmony of nature.” 
Today, the biggest threat that we face is climate change. It is real as the rise in global 
temperature over the last decade can be felt worldwide. If one may ask, is it bad? The answer 
is no. It is worse. Unlike decades back, no political candidate can now run a house to house 
campaign at 1:00 in the afternoon without getting fried in the open. It is now becoming hotter 
and drier every year. Even the sea level is now rising up as a result of global warming, not 
to mention extreme flooding in recent years. If we will allow climate change to run 
unchecked, there won’t be much of us left in the future. There is a need for us to individually 
and collectively adopt measures which can mitigate the effects of climate change or global 
warming. 
One such measure is to require everyone to plant a tree. In this legislative measure, 
anyone who applies for a building permit for residential, commercial, industrial and public 
building must first submit as prior requisite a Tree Planting Plan in addition to the other 
requirements imposed by the concerned local government unit. Without the plan no building 
permit will be issued. This is one way of requiring everyone to actively participate in 
arresting the effects of climate change.  
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS
July 8, 2025
10:24 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1568 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT REQUIRING THE PLANTING OF TREES FOR ANY 
CONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL 
AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS 
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 “Green Building Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and advance the right of the people 
to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
Towards this ends, the State shall promote the planting of trees to enhance environmental 
quality, mitigate the effects of climate change, and preserve the environment for present and 
future generations. 
SEC. 3. Tree Planting Requirement for Permits. - All applicants for building permits of 
residential, commercial, industrial and public building development projects are hereby 
required to submit a Tree Planting Plan (TPP) in addition to the other requirements imposed 
by local government units. Any person, firm, corporation, department, office, bureau, 
agency or instrumentality of the government intending to construct, alter, repair, or convert 
any building or structure, is required to set aside, and properly maintain in said property are 
as adequate for planting and maintaining trees and flora. 
The TPP shall be simple plan containing the following: 
(a) Total area of the project
(b) Indicated layout of the area/s to be planted;
(c) Number of trees to be planted, taking into account the ratio of at least one (1)
tree for every five hundred (500) square meters for commercial or industrial 
projects or one (1) tree for every two hundred fifty (250) square meters for housing 
development projects; 
(d) The species to be planted; and
(e) The construction and design of said areas for trees and flora, which shall give
emphasis to the facade of the structure and all communal areas. 
SEC. 4. Preference for Indigenous Species. - The TPP required under Section 3 hereof 


shall give preference to indigenous species of trees, taking into account the location, 
climate and topography of the area. 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Environment and Natural resources (DENR), in 
coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)and the 
Department of Agriculture (DA), shall issue the necessary implementing rules and 
regulations to carry out the objectives of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of 
implementation, rules and regulations or part or parts thereof inconsistent with any 
provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Should any portion or provision of this act be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other provisions hereof shall continue 
to be in force. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,