Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiLt no.__4917

Introduced by Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The benefits of the presence of trees in urban areas cannot be gainsaid. Trees nullify the effects
of carbon dioxide, which is prevalent in industrialized regions. Trees absorb other potentially
harmful gases, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, from the air and release oxygen. One
large tree can provide for a day’s supply of oxygen for four people."

‘Trees combat climate change. Excess carbon dioxide (CO2) caused by many factors is building
up in our atmosphere and contributing to climate change. Trees absorb CO2, removing and
storing the carbon while releasing the oxygen back into the air. Trees absorb odors and
pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and fiter particulates out
of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.? Trees cool the streets and the city by up
to 10°F, by shading our homes and streets, breaking up urban “heat islands” and releasing
water vapor into the air through their leaves.’ These are just some of the many benefits of
trees.

Hence, the government should go for broke in order to protect our urban trees. It is worth the
effort.

The swift passage of this bill is thus eamestly sought,

* https://www.google.com.ph/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=WzORWI2LFpGI8wisIKi4BA&gws,_rd=sslitq=benefitstofttrees
* https://www.treepeople.org/resources/tree-benefits
* Ibid.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House eit no.__ 4 ity

Introduced by Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo

AN ACT
PROTECTING TREES IN URBAN AREAS AND PROHIBITING THEIR DESTRUCTION
DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND PRESCRIBING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Urban Trees Protection Act.”

SEC. 2. It is hereby declared a state policy to protect trees in urban areas and prohibit
any and all acts that would result in their destruction in order to preserve ecological balance in
the cities.

SEC. 3. All sectors of society are hereby mandated to ensure the protection of urban
trees and are prohibited to engage in any activity that would result in their destruction.

SEC. 4. All public and private entities implementing infrastructure projects are hereby
instructed to take salvific measures when trees are involved and needed to be protected,
including but not limited to transferring them to an ecologically sound environment.

SEC. 5. Anyone found guilty of violating the provisions of this Act shalll pay a fine of not
less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00).

SEC. 6. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed accordingly.

SEC 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon publication in the Official Gazette
and in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,