Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representatives Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our country’s pursuit of national progress and the enhancement of economic opportunities, 
including infrastructure development must align with the principles enshrined in the 1987 
Constitution. This bill seeks to ensure that the constitutional mandates of promoting equitable 
economic growth, ensuring social justice, including the advancement of vital transportation 
networks, are undertaken while safeguarding our natural heritage. 
The 1987 Constitution, across its various sections, highlights the importance of economic 
development while stressing the need to safeguard our natural resources and environment. In 
Article XII, Section 2, the Constitution articulates that the exploration, development, and 
utilization of natural resources should benefit the nation and its people without compromising the 
health of present and future generations. Furthermore, Article II, Section 16 recognizes the state's 
duty to protect and advance the people's right to a balanced and healthful ecology in harmony with 
nature. 
This bill proposes introducing the deployment and use of advanced technology in our road 
widening projects through the utilization of earth balling machines. An earth balling machine is a 
mechanized apparatus specifically designed to relocate trees that obstruct road-widening efforts. 
The primary advantage of employing such machines is their ability to safely transplant trees and 
ensure their survival post transfer, thereby eliminating the need to fell these valuable components 
of our ecosystem. 
Earth balling involves carefully excavating a tree from its current location, preserving a 
substantial portion of its root system within a soil ball, and subsequently transplanting it to a new 
site. This method guarantees the survival and continued growth of the transplanted tree, thereby 
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maintaining the environmental balance and ecological integrity of the area. This process is 
essential as it allows for the simultaneous pursuit of infrastructure development and environmental 
sustainability. 
Automating the earth-balling process is crucial due to its labor-intensive nature. Traditional 
manual transplantation requires a significant workforce and often leads to delays and increased 
costs. By integrating mechanization, we can enhance the efficiency of our road-widening projects 
while minimizing if not eliminating altogether adverse environmental impact. 
This aims to align our road-widening initiatives with the principles of responsible 
economic development and environmental preservation. By harnessing the capabilities of a tree-
balling machine, we can usher in a new era of infrastructure growth that harmoniously coexists 
with the natural world. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ, DPA


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
House Bill No. _________________ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representatives Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT  
TO MANDATE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS TO 
PROCURE AND UTILIZE EARTH BALLING MACHINES PER REGION IN THE 
CONDUCT OF ROAD WIDENING AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS 
AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Earth Balling Machinery Procurement – The Department of Public 
Works and Highways (DPWH) is hereby mandated to procure, maintain, and utilize, at least one 
(1) set of machinery known as ‘earth balling equipment’ per region.  This machinery shall be
used exclusively to preserve and relocate trees affected by the department's road widening and
other developmental projects, as may be evaluated by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR).
SEC. 2. Funding – The initial budget required for the procurement of the earth balling 
machines shall be sourced from the DPWH's available funds. 
Subsequent funding for the maintenance, operation, and additional earth balling machinery 
procurement shall be included in the regular budget of the DPWH in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The Secretary of the DPWH and the 
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Secretary of the DENR shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to ensure the proper 
implementation of this Act, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
 
 
SEC. 4. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
 
Approved,