NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of tli-c ‘rt.'iVP
*22 JUL18 A 9:26
SENATE
665
RliCElvED 8V,__M_
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
AN ACT
PROVIDING MECHANISMS THAT SHALL ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10176, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE "ARBOR DAY ACT OF 2012"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 10176, otherwise known as the "Arbor Day of 2012" was 
signed into law on September 12, 2012 to revive the observance of Arbor Day and 
strengthen the collaborated effort between the State and its citizenry to combat the 
loss of our natural resources. The law also aims to rejuvenate our environment by 
undertaking nationwide tree planting activities and providing effective measures for 
their maintenance and sustainability.
This bill seeks to expand the focus of arbor day to include rehabilitation of 
degraded forest lands, improvement of soil fertility and land productivity, and 
reduction of soil erosion especially in the rural and upland areas.
To make the activities more results-oriented and effective, the proposed 
measure mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to 
identify suitable areas in each local government unit to be planted with various species 
of trees and plants, including bamboo.
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This legislative proposal also mandates the Department of the Interior and 
Local Government (DILG) to monitor the compliance of the local government units 
(LGUs).
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
NG^OY E3ERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
665
of !I>r £'tt '.‘t'tni p
‘22 JUL 18 A 9 26
Rl:CE!VtiJ Bi;
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
AN ACT
PROVIDING MECHANISMS THAT SHALL ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10176, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE "ARBOR DAY ACT OF 2012"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
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Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10176 is amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 2. Deciaration of Poiicy. - It Is hereby declared 
the policy of the State to 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 vital 
role and Importance of trees in ecological stability is 
recognized. Hence, there Is a need for a collaborated effort 
between the State and its citizenry to combat the loss of our 
natural resources and rejuvenate our environment by 
REHABILITATING DEGRADED FOREST LAND AREAS, 
IMPROVING SOIL FERTILITY AND LAND 
PRODUCTIVITY, AND REDUCING SOIL EROSION 
ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AND UPLAND AREAS, 
undertaking nationwide tree planting activities and providing 
effective measures for their maintenance and sustainability.
"x X X."


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Sec, 2. Section 9 of the same Act is amended to read as follows:
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"Sec. 9. Areas Covered by Tree Planting. -THE DENR
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SHALL IDENTIFY SUITABLE AREAS IN EACH LGU TO
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BE PLANTED WITH VARIOUS SPECIES OF TREES AND
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PLANTS, INCLUDING BAMBOO. THE DENR SHALL
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ENSURE THAT NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM SITES
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WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY AND CITY SHALL
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CONTINUE TO PROPAGATE AND PLANT VARIOUS
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SPECIES TO ENHANCE EXISTING VEGETATION.
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"The local Arbor Day Celebrations Committee shall
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[sfaeeify] SELECT the area within the LGU to be planted or
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reforested FROM AMONG THE AREAS IDENTIFIED BY
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THE DENR AS SUITABLE FOR THESE PURPOSES. If the
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area to be planted or reforested is a protected area or a
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protection forest, the Committee shall encourage the use of
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endemic or Indigenous species during the observance of the
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Arbor Day designated by the LGU.
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"x X X."
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Sec. 3. A new Section 11-A is inserted after Section 11 of the same Act to read
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as follows:
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"SEC. 11-A. ANNUAL REPORTS, - THE DILG
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SHALL MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT
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AND SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE CONGRESS
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ON THE COMPLIANCE OF LGUS WITH THE
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PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT."
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Sec. 4. Separability Ciause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 5. Repeating Ciause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.


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Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,