Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
 TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1824 
________________________________________________________________ 
 Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Deforestation has been identified as one of the causes of flash 
floods associated with climate change and global warming, which has 
become a global concern, as more countries are beginning to 
experience climate changes and its negative effect. In the past years, 
typhoon Ondoy, Pedring, and Sendong had resulted to wide-spread 
flash floods due to our denuded forest and water reservoirs- the flash 
floods claimed thousands of lives, left numerous families devastated, 
and send small and medium-scale business in the affected areas 
reeling to ground. 
On the other hand, Metro Manila and several provinces in Luzon 
recently experienced water shortage for domestic use and irrigation 
of agriculture lands as the water level in the major dams like Angat, 
Ipo and San Roque wend down below critical level. As an immediate 
response, government has to ration and reduce the volume allocated 
for users and consumers of water. Multiple factors interplayed and 
contributed to this problem and one of them is the worsening 
condition of the forest cover in the watershed areas of these dams 
negatively impacting the water retentions capacity of the forest.  
We experienced a paradox where we experience water shortage 
during dry season and flash floods during wet season. This is primary 
due to denudation of our forest cover. 
July 14, 2025
11:34 am


As an appropriate solution to this problem, reforestation has 
become a major and priority concern of the state through the 
National Greening Program (NGP) which was previously launched by 
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 
Nevertheless, reforestation should also be the concern of every citizen 
and residents alike. 
As an effort of every citizen to help in the reforestation crusade 
of the state, this measure requires the planting of two (2) tress for 
every child born of a couple, one of tree fir the father and another 
tree for the mother. 
The number of trees to be planted as a result of this bill will be 
very significant and it will effectively supplement the 1.5 billion trees 
to be planted by the DENR through its NGP, taking into account the 
thousands of babies that are born and Human Development Report 
statistics almost 2 million babies are born in the Philippines every 
year. 166,667 every month and 5,556 everyday; thereby assuring no 
less than 4 million trees yearly. 
Furthermore, it will serve to develop the people’s awareness of 
the need for reforestation and encourage tree planting as part of the 
family’s concern and responsibility, hereby reviving the Filipino 
tradition- whereby parents, as a sign of love and care for their 
children, plan tree for them; and in turn, their children will make 
care of these trees as a sign of love, respect and as living memories 
for their parents. 
To ensure compliance with this compulsory measure, the 
couple is required to execute a Joint Affidavit of Compliance sworn 
to before the Punong Barangay of the place where they reside, or the 
appropriate legal officer of the Provincial Environment and Natural 
Resources Office (PENRO) or Community Environment and Natural 
Resources Office (CENRO) in the area where they reside. Thereafter, 
this joint-affidavit shall be submitted to the Civil Registrar’s Office of 
the Municipality or City where the birth of the child should be register 
as a requirements for the release if the child’s Certificate of Live Birth. 


This proposal has been deliberated and was unanimously 
approved on 3rd Reading during the 18th Congress and I hope that 
this bill will get the support of my colleagues in this 19th Congress. 
ERIC L. OLIVAREZ 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
 TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1824 
________________________________________________________________ 
 Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ 
AN ACT REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES FOR 
EVERY CHILD BORN TO THEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
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. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State 
to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and 
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
Towards this end, the State shall promote and pursue reforestation 
programs and encourage tree planting as part of the family's responsibility 
and legacy to protect the environment and conserve our natural resources 
for the future generation. 
SEC. 3. Mandatory Tree Planting. All parents residing in the 
Philippines whether legally married or not, shall be required to plant two 
(2) trees for every child born to them. These trees shall be planted within
the premises of their own home. If not possible, trees shall be planted in
an area to be designated by the Barangay Council where they reside, with
the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR). The planted species should be appropriate to the location, climate
and topography of the area, with preference for the planting of indigenous
species and fruit-bearing trees.


SEC. 4. Provision of Seedlings. - The Community Environment and 
Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR and the Department of 
Agriculture (DA), in partnership with local government units (LGUS) 
throughout the Philippines, shall maintain a seedling bank that shall 
provide seedlings to parents planting the trees in accordance with this Act. 
SEC. 5. Tree Planting as a Requirement for Birth Certificate 
Release. - To ensure compliance with this Act, the Local Civil Registry 
where the birth of the child shall be registered, shall release the Certificate 
of Live Birth of the child only upon the presentation of the parents sworn 
statement of compliance: Provided however, That the presentation of a 
certificate of compliance from the DENR or the LGU concerned shall 
constitute compliace with the requirement for the release of the certificate 
of Live Birth of the child. Planting of the trees must be done within thirty 
(30) days after the child's birth. Longer compliance period maybe provided 
for parents under extraordinary circumstances such as solo parent or 
physically incapacitated to perform such activity. 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's 
appropriations of the departments and agencies concerned. Thereafter. the 
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act.  
The LGU concerned may set aside funds from any local revenue an 
amount deemed appropriate for the implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR shall, in consultation with 
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), DA, the 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD), promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations to implement this Act. 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause.-  Should any portion or provision of 
this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid. the other provisions hereof 
shall continue to be enforced. 
SEC 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
letters of Implementation, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed. modified. 
superseded or amended accordingly. 


SEC 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved.