Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiLLNo,__ 3878

Introduced by the Honorable Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

To date we are still recovering from the onslaught of tragedies of the super
typhoons that killed hundreds of lives including kids and infants. The experience with
typhoon "Ondoy" on September 26, 2009, that almost deleted the Philippines’ Capital on
the world map is a manifestation of the changing times that could be directly attributed to
the global warming phenomenon.

The phenomenon presupposes the extinction of Earth and mankind as global
warming progresses with its devastating effects. The need for Global cooperation
necessitates action in all sectors and requires our local action to prevent further
environmental degradation as a means to counter the ill effect of the unpredictability of
weather conditions.

Ithas been widely discussed that man made developments contributes to the deterioration
of the environment requiring an immediate policy to address sustainability of the environment,
inculcate and reinforce the plan of action as we need to adopt and salvage changing tide. Integral
to our human development is the need to enliven the value of preserving and sustaining our
environment in our pedagogical processes, which could take place primarily in our educational
system.

It is for these reasons that we have crafted this bill. The main aim of this bill is to
impart knowledge in young children and encourage them to understand their social
responsibility at their early age, in particular the importance for the care of the
environment. By way of planting trees and interaction with their surroundings we can start
introducing, cultivating and having placed the value and appreciation for life.

Approval of the bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 3878

Introduced by the Honorable Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr.

AN ACT
COMPELLING INTERMEDIATE GRADE SCHOOLERS, SECONDARY, VOCATIONAL AND
COLLEGE STUDENTS TO PLANT TREES IN AN OPEN SPACE OF THE COMMUNITY AS.
PART OF THEIR CURRICULUM AND AS PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATION AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as “Green Community Act of 2010.”

Section 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,

Section 3. All intermediate grade schoolers, secondary, college and all vocational
students are hereby required to plant trees as part of their school curricula and as pre-
requisite for graduation.

Section 4. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a.) “Student” refers to the subject of this Act particularly those in the
intermediate schools (Grade V, VI or VII as the case may be),
secondary, vocational schools offers two (2) years technical
vocational courses, and college levels whether in the public or
private learning institution.

b) “Open Spaces” refers to an area reserved exclusively for parks,
playgrounds, recreational uses, schools, roads, places of worship,
hospitals, health centers, barangay centers and other similar facilities and
amenities.


Section 5. Tress shall be planted and maintained in open spaces, in case the
school does not have an open spaces for tree planting, the schools may adopt a
certain community for this purpose.

Section 6. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the
schools shall determine the number of trees to be planted, the variety of trees to be planted
and their distribution, and the size of the open space established in a community or in the
adopt community.

Section 7. Incentives. - The schools of the participating program shall be entitled to
the following incentives:

(a) Free tree and plant seedlings and free technical assistance in the
development and maintenance of the green community provided by DENR
and the Department of Agriculture (DA) and their attached agencies:
Provided that the school shall be responsible for any mortality in the
seedlings planted; and

(b) _ Free artesian well and free tools and implements to be used exclusively used
for the development and maintenance of the green community and to be
provided by the City or municipal government having jurisdiction over the
proposed green community.

Section 8, Requirements. - In order to avail of the aforementioned incentives, the
school shall submit to the DENR the requirements for the development and maintenance of
the green community, which shall include:

(a) A planting plan indicating the types of trees and plants, preferably of
indigenous or endemic species of medicinal value that are intended to be
planted and grown in the community.

(b) A plan for the maintenance of the green community, to ensure its ecological
viability, as well as evidence of actual application thereof.

Section 9, Ecological Standards. - ‘The DENR shall promulgate the standards to
ensure that the green community instituted creates a balanced and healthful ecology within
the community.

Section 10. Issuance of Certification. - Upon submission of all the requirements by
the schools, the DENR shall issue a certification that the development and maintenance
plans meet the ecological standards set. This Certification shall be the basis, upon
application by the schools with the proper agency or authority, for the grant of incentives
provided under this Act.

Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of Department of
Education, the Commissioner on Higher Education and the Director General of Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority in consultation with the Department of the
Interior Local Government, Non-government Organization, Department of Environment


and Natural Resources shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act not later than two (2) months from the effectivity of
this law.

Section 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations and/or administrative regulations which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.

Section 13. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions thereof shall not be affected
by such declaration.

Section 14. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED,