REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3568

Introduced by Pangasinan Fifth District Representative
HON. RAMON V. GUICO III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides that:

“The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthy

ecology in accord with rhythm and harmony of nature.”

Reality, however, demonstrates otherwise. Throughout the country, most evidently in urban
areas, our people are choked by the seemingly incessant pollution. Heaps of garbage left to rot in
the streets, including the stench of sewer water and excreta offend the senses. All this, contained in
a depressing urban sprawl drains the lustre of life; the very balance and health of ecology that the

State has promised to uphold.

‘A happy, healthy, and content citizenry requires more than the satiety of their daily needs.
They too, need to find the necessary reprieve from the pressures of a fast-paced lifestyle borne of
modernity. Our people need to be able to reconnect and recollect themselves in the peace and
serenity that, without comparison, nature can provide. Many areas in the country, however, do not
afford this privilege to our people. The idea, therefore, is to bring the serenity of nature within reach

to all through the development of public “green spaces.”


Presently, there are only 12,152.79 ha of green space or 21 percent of NCR providing
breathing spaces for around 12.8 million people in the capital region and according to the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is expected to continually shrink, due to the
onslaught of development and booming population growth. Even the famed “last lung” of Manila,
the Arrocerros Forest Park, was threatened with the proposed building of a gymnasium. This in
turn, contributed to the country’s “malling culture,” seeing as the environment outside has become

rather aesthetically displeasing.

The country’s development, so far, has lacked not only a healthful purpose, but an aesthetic
one as well. Beautifying our surroundings is important not only because of its practical benefits to
our overall well-being, but because it is a reflection of the values we uphold. Whether such values
are drab and uninspiring, as we ought to witness now; or sublime and transformative as we all hope

it would be, it would be best to make these changes now.

As such, under this Act the creation, development, and maintenance of public green spaces

shall be a matter of national policy, provided for, at no cost to the people, by the State.

In view of the foregoing the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Rep. Rfmon V. Guico II


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _3568

Introduced by Pangasinan Fifth District Representative
HON. RAMON V. GUICO IIL

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN SPACES IN BARANGAYS,
MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, AND PROVINCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Public Green Spaces Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.—It is hereby declared the policy of the State to green spaces
in barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces to promote balanced and healthful ecology as
well as to beautify and enhance the environment.

SEC. 3. Scope.—This Act shall cover all barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces in
the country.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms.—As used in this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
a. Environment refers to the surroundings; all the conditions, circumstances, and
influences surrounding and affecting the development of an organism or group of

organisms;

b. Green Spaces are open spaces for leisure, recreation, and promenade where soft
(ie. plants and trees) and hard (i.e. pavement, benches) landscape may be found;

SEC. 5. Objectives—Pursuant to the policy declared herein, it is the objective of this Act
a. Build, develop, and maintain green spaces in all barangays, municipalities, cities,
and provinces;

b. Provide a scenic environment in major areas of the country; and
c. Encourage the proliferation of green spaces in the country.

SEC. 6. National Committee.—A Green Space Development Committee is hereby created
with the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as Chairman and the


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respective secretaries of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the
Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), as members. The
National Committee shall initiate, coordinate, and monitor all the activities of green space
development.

The National Committee shall tap any or all government agencies, corporations, and
instrumentalities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), peoples organizations (POs), the
Governor's League of the Philippines, Mayor’s League of the Philippines, and the Barangay
Associations of the Philippines as local committees to provide resources and assistance in the
implementation of this Act.

The National Committee shall have the power to promulgate the pertinent rules and
regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the objectives and purposes of this Act within a
period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from approval hereof.

SEC. 7. Specific Functions of the Executive Departments,—For the purpose of carrying
out effectively the provisions of this Act,

a. The DPWH shall:

1, Provide the necessary technical data with respect to the classification,
location, condition, and length of all existing vacant public lots in barangays,
municipalities, cities, and provinces.

2. Provide the necessary tools, equipment, and manpower to effect, the
development of green spaces.

b. The DILG shall:

1. Mobilize all local government units (LGUs) to ensure prompt and effective
implementation of this Act in every barangay, municipality, city, and
province in the country;

2. Effect the apprehension and prosecution of all persons violating the
provisions of this Act;

c, The DENR shall:

1. Determine the suitable species of trees and provide seeds or saplings to be
planted in the green spaces, suited to the kind, classification, and condition of
the area;

2. Provide for effective measures and ways for the optimum maintenance of
green spaces and the healthy growth of trees and plants in the same;

d. The DOT through the PTA shall:


1. Assist in the conceptualization, design, and site-evaluation of green spaces
in barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces; and

2. Provide effective measures and ways for the optimum maintenance of
green spaces.

SEC. 8. Prohibited Acts.—No cutting and destroying of trees and plants found in the green
spaces shall be permitted except when the cutting and destroying of the same is necessary for public
safety. Likewise, littering in and destroying of the structures in the green spaces are strictly
prohibited.

SEC. 9. Persons Liable and Penalties.—Any person who destroys, damages, or litters the
green spaces shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months to not more than
‘one (1) year or a fine of not less than Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.00), or with both such
imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 10, Submission of Reports.—The National Committee shall within ninety (90) days
after the approval of this Act and every one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter submit periodic
reports to both Houses of Congress of the Philippines for evaluation and consideration.

SEC. 11. Appropriations.—The fund needed for the implementation of the green space
development in this Act shall be taken from any available appropriations in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA) for the year; Provided That, funds for this purpose shall also be included
in the GAA for the following year and every year thereafter; Provided finally, That there shall be
equitable and proportionate appropriations of funds annually for this purpose for all barangays,
municipalities, cities, and provinces. In addition, adequate portion of financial grants and
concessional loans extended to the Philippines by foreign governments and multilateral agencies
shall be allocated to augment the annual appropriations.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause.—All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause.—If any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other parts not otherwise affected shall remain in full effect and force.

SEC. 14, Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect immediately after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,