Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no.833 7

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT REQUIRING ALL DEALERS, RETAILERS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES
ENGAGED IN THE SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO PLANT AT LEAST TEN (10)
TREES FOR EVERY SALES TRANSACTION

The regularity of typhoons in the Philippines should have us adequately prepared.
However, as years pass, typhoons are increasingly destructive. Most recently, the trio
of Quinta, Roily and Ulysses ravaged the country in a span of less than a month. This
affected hundreds of thousands of farmers and hectares of agricultural land translating
to over ten billion pesos in losses.

The fact that the trio of typhoons came in less than a month challenged the capacity
of our soil to retain the amount of water dumped by the accompanying rains. The
resulting inundation is what became destructive. As always, deforestation along flood-
prone areas is one of the major culprits.

Accordingly, this bill seeks to contribute to the reforestation efforts of the government
by requiring all dealers, retailers and similar entities which are engaged in the sale of
motor vehicles to plant at least ten (10) trees for every sales transaction within a period
of six (6) months from the date thereof. The Department of Trade and Industry is
tasked to monitor and ensure compliance with this requirement.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is most earnestly sought.

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LUIS RAYM| KLRAY” F). VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

8337
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT REQUIRING ALL DEALERS, RETAILERS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES
ENGAGED IN THE SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO PLANT AT LEAST TEN (10)
TREES FOR EVERY SALES TRANSACTION

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1, Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Mandatory Tree Planting for Every
Motor Vehicle Sales Act."

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. Towards this end, the State shall promote the planting of trees to ensure
environmental protection, biodiversity and climate change mitigation for the welfare of
present and future generations

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined
as follows:

a) Motor vehicle refers to any self-propelled, four (4) wheeled road vehicle designed
to carry passengers including, but not limited to, sedans, coupes, station wagons,
convertibles, pick-ups, vans, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and Asian Utility Vehicles
(AUVs) but excluding motorcycles, deliver/ trucks, dump trucks, buses, road rollers,
trolley cars, street sweepers, sprinklers, lawn mowers and heavy equipment such as,
but not limited to, bulldozers, payloaders, graders, forklifts, amphibian trucks, cranes,
and vehicles which run only on rails or tracks, and tractors, trailers and traction engines
of all kinds used exclusively for agricultural purposes. Trailers having any number of
wheels, when propelled or Intended by attachment to a motor vehicle, shall be
classified as separate motor vehicle with no power rating; and

b) Dealer or retailer refers to any person, natural or juridical, that sell new motor
vehicles directly to the retail buyers and the public.


Section 4. Mandatory Tree Planting for Every Motor Vehicle Sales. - All dealers,
retailers and similar entitles which are engaged in the sale of motor vehicles shall be
required to plant at least ten (10) trees for every sales transaction. This requirement
of tree planting shall be accomplished within six (6) months from the date of the sales
transaction as reflected in the official receipt Issued to the buyer.

Section 5, Enforcement and Monitoring. - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
shall be the agency tasked with the enforcement and monitoring of obligations
imposed under this Act. All dealers, retailers and similar entities shall submit to the
DTI Regional Office exercising jurisdiction over their respective principal place of
business an annual report of their tree-planting activities in compliance with this Act.
The said report shall be accompanied with a certification from the City or Municipal
Environment and Natural Resources Office of the locality where the tree planting was
conducted. The DTI, through its duly authorized officers, shall have the power to
inspect and copy, within reasonable business hours and days, the records of the
covered entities to ensure the proper Implementation of this Act.

Section 6. Location and Tree Species. - The trees to be planted under this Act shall
be planted in locations Identified by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) with due consideration of the principal place of business of the
covered dealer, retailer or similar entity. The tree species to be planted shall likewise
be in accordance with a list of suitable tree species to be prepared by the DENR.

Section 7. Penal Provisions. - Any dealer, retailer or similar entity who fails to satisfy
the tree planting requirement within the period set in this Act shall be liable for a fine
not exceeding Php 10,000 for every tree not planted, Repeated noncompliance for two
(2) years within a five (5)-year period shalll result to a fine not exceeding Php 20,000
for the outstanding number of trees not planted within the said period. Repeated non-
compliance for three or more years within a five (5)-year period shall result in the
closure of the non-compliant business entity and a fine not exceeding Php 30,000 for
the outstanding number of trees not planted within the said period. If the dealer or
retailer is a juridical entity, the same shall be solidarily liable for the acts or omissions
Of its officers, agents and employees that resulted in the non-compliance of this Act.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DENR, DTI, and other relevant government agencies and
stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.

Section 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.


Approved,