REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

972

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List Representa
andFraneiscoAshley L. Acedillo

es Gary C. Alejano

Explanatory Note

In the 1993 case of Oposa v, Factoran' the Supreme Court recognized the concept of inter-
generational equity, upholding the rights of minors to sue for the judicious management of our
country's forests and the necessity of maintaining a sound ecological balance and protecting and
enhancing the quality of the environment in accordance with Sections 15 and 16, Article Il of the
1987 Constitution.

Recognizing that a system of inter-generational equity involving both rights and responsibilities
may be substantially more effective in achieving the twin goals of environment protection and
sustainable development, this bill seeks to impose a positive duty upon all graduating
elementary, high school and college students to plant at least ten (10) trees as a prerequisite for
graduation, These trees shall be their legacy to the envirolunent and to fnture generations.

Indeed, while we recognize the right of the youth to a balance and healthful ecology, as
proclaimed in the 1987 Constitution, there is no reason why they Calillot be made to contribnte
in order to ensure that this would be an actual reality.

With over 12 Million students graduation from elementary and nearly 5 Million students
graduation from high school” and almost 500,000° graduating from college each year, this
initiative, if properly implemented, will ensure that at least 175 Million new trees would be
planted each year. In the course of one generation,’ no less than 525 Billion trees can be planted
under this initiative, Even with a survival rate of on ten percent (10%), tins would mean an
additional 525 Million trees would be available for the youth to enjoy, when they assume the
mantle of leadership in the future.

This bill also aims to complement Executive Order No, 26, Series of 2011, issued by his
Excellency, President Benigno S, Aquino Ill, which aims to mobilize students and government
employees to plant 1.5 Billion trees over a period of six (6) years, from 2011 to 2016.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bm is eamestly requested.

i ‘ lilly
ARY C.ALEJANO ASCO ASHLEY L. ACEDILLO

" Oposav.Factoran, 6.8 No, 101083 promuleated on 30 July 1993 (En Bans).

2 Basic Education Information System - Data Bulletin Previous School Yea Promotes and Graduates in Government Elementary and Secondary
Schools by Year! Grade Level and by Sex, School Year 2010-201, Information eieved from Research & Statistics Division Office of Planning
Service, Department of Education on

20 March 2012

» 2009 Data. information retieved fom Commission on Higher Edsction on 20 March 012.

* Computed a thirty (30) years.


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil No, _ 972

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List Representatives FranciscoAshley L. Acedillo
and Gary C. Alejano

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING ELEMENTARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE.
STUDENTS TO PLANT AT LEAST TEN (10) TREES EACH AS A PREREQUISITE
FOR GRADUATION AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES

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 the "Graduation Legacy for the

Environment Act of 2013".

SEC. 2, Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
and pursue environmental protection and sustainable development for poverty reduction, food

security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

SEC. 3. Tree-planting as a Mandatory Requisite for Graduation.- Pursuant to the policy
of the state to promote and pursue environmental protection and sustainable development, all
graduating grade-school or primary education (Grade 6 or 7) students, high school or secondary
education (4th Year High School) students, as well as all college or university students shall be
required to plant at least ten (10) trees as a mandatory prerequisite for their graduation. Said trees

shall be their living legacy to the environment and to future generations of Filipinos.

SEC. 4. Location.- The trees to be planted under this Act shall be located in any of the
following:
4.1 Forestlands

4.2 Mangrove and protected areas


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4.3 Ancestral domains

4.4 Civil and military reservations

4.5 Urban areas under the greening plan ofthe LGUs
4.6 Inactive and abandoned mine sites; and

4.7 Other suitable lands

SECTION 5. Partner Agencies/Stakeholders.- The Department of Education (DepEd)

and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall implement the provisions of this act in

partnership with the following agencies/stakeholders, whose responsibilities shall include but not
limited to the following:
5.1 Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Environment
and Natural Resources

5.1.1 Nursery establishment and seedling production

5.1.2 Site identification and site preparation

5.1.3 Social mobilization

5.1.4 Tree planting

5.1.5 Monitoring and evaluation

5.1.6 Technical support and extension services

5.1.7 Provision of certified seeds of agronomic crops

5.1.8 Provision of access roads and trails to planting site

5.1.9 Provision of post harvest and processing facilities

5.1.10 Technical assistance in product development and marketing
5.2 Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

5.2.1 Allocation of funds for all activities of the NGP

5.3 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

5.3.1 Provision of transportation, security and fire protection amenities

5.3.2 Information, Education and Communication
5.4 Local Government Units (LGUs)

5.4.1 Establishment of nurseries and production of planting materials


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5.4.2 Development of greening plan for urban and suburban areas,

5.4.3 Lead the establishment of communal tree farms for firewood and other domestic

5.4.4 Construction of access roads and trails to the planting sites
5.4.5 Provision of medical support
5.4.6 Technical assistance and extension of services
5.5 Department of Health (DOH)
5.5.1 Provision of transportation and medical support
5.6 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
5.6.1 Provision of transportation in the hauling of seedlings and volunteer planters
§.6.2 Assistance in the construction of access roads and trails to the planting sites
5.7 Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
5.7.1 Provision of transport for participants
5.7.2 Provision of communication facilities
5.8 Department of National Defense (DND)
5.8.1 Nursery establishment and seedling production
5.8.2 Site preparation
5.8.3 Provision oftranspOliation suppoti
5.8.4 Provision of security
5.9 Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
5.9.1 Development and transfer of appropriate technologies
5.9.2 Information, Education and Communication
5.10 Department of Justice (DOJ)
5.10.1 Nursery establishment and production of planting materials
5.10.2 Provision of transportation
5.11 National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
5.11.1 Mobilization of participation of indigenous peoples
5.11.2 Identification of sites for NGP inside ancestral domains

5.11.3 Supervision forest protection activities inside ancestral domains


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5.12 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
5.12.1 Technical assistance in seedling development
5.13 Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR),

5.13.1 Provision of funds for seedling production and other related activities

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The DepEd and the CHED, in
consultation with the participating agencies/institutions, shall promulgate and issue the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days from the effectivity

hereof.

SEC. 7. Funding Mechanisms.- Funds needed for the implementation of this Act for the
current year shall be provided by the DBM and funding for the succeeding years shall be

incorporated in the regular appropriation of participating agencies.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Act that maybe declared
unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other provisions hereof, as long as such

remaining portions can still subsist and can be given effect in their entirety.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. All rules and regulations and other issuances or parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified

accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect within sixty (60) days upon its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation of the Official Gazette.

Approved,