Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon Ci

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5864
iuced by Rep

Int

joseph

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This commendable bill had been filed in the past Congress and the present proponent
is acknowledging the wisdom and hard work of his predecessors.

‘The Environmental Science for Social Change, Inc. (ESSC) dubs the Philippines to be
“one of the most severely deforested countries in the tropics” and that “most deforestation has
happened in the last 40 years”! The total national forest cover of the Philippine is only at 7.014
million or just 23.38% of the country’s total land area of around 30 million hectares. ‘The
current forest coverage is below the 17.8 million hectares cover in 1934.” Deforestation is
caused by illegal logging, urban construction, slash and bum farming, commercial purposes
(oil and mining exploitation), and erosion, among others.

While there are different programs undertaken by government agencies to promote
reforestation, the present proponent believes that more is needed to be done, and with the help
of the youth, the Philippines’ Forest lands can return to its previous vitality.

According to the recent data released by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
in October 2020, almost 800,000 college students graduated in academic year 2018-2019 from
state universities and colleges (SUCs), local colleges and universities (LCUs), other
government schools (OGS, CSI, Special HEIs), and private higher education institutions.>

‘The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature (Art. Il, Sec. 16, 1987 Constitution).
Thus, this bill seeks to require graduating college students to plant at least two (2) trees as a
pre-requisite for graduation, in order to help the reforestation efforts of the government.

ight.

In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this meas

JOSEPH GALBERT F. VIOLAGO

*https://essc.org.ph/content/lview/579/1/

2 httpy//www-philchm.ph/deforestation/

* hnttps://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/Higher-Education-Graduates-by-Sex-and-Institution-Type-AY-2018-
19.pdf


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

INETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _5864

Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago a

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING COLLEGE STUDENTS TO PLANT TWO (2)
TREES EACH AS A CIVIC DUTY FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND
PRESERVATION, 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 “Graduation Legacy for the
Environment Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. —It shall be the policy of the State to protect and advance
the right of the people to healthful ecology. To this end, the State shall promote and pursue the
reforestation programs and encourage the participation of the youth in tree planting activities.

SECTION 3. Tree Planting as a Mandatory Requisite for Graduation.— As an act of service
to the public before joining the country’s workforce, all graduating students in college shall
plant at least two (2) trees as a prerequisite for graduation,

SECTION 4, Tree Planting Sites. —'The Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) and the concerned local government units (LGUs) shall determine the appropriate tree
planting sites within the local government’s respective areas, in coordination with schools,
colleges, and universiti

SECTION 5. Preference for Indigenous Species. ‘The species of trees to be planted should
be appropriate to the climate, location, and topography of the area, giving preference to planting
of indigenous species of plants.

SECTION 6. Partner Agencies and 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 government agencies:

a, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
b. Department of Agriculture (DA);
¢. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);


d. Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and
e, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)

Their responsibilities shall include:

1, Establishment of nursery and seedling preparation;
2. Site identification and preparation;

3. Technical support and extension services; and

4, Monitoring and evaluation,

SECTION 7. Provision of Seedlings. — The Community Environment and Natural Resources
Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the
Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the LGUs throughout the Philippines shall
maintain a seedling bank which will serve as a ready source of seedlings to be used pursuant
to this Act.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~The DepEd and CHED, in coordination
with the DILG and DENR, and in consultation with other government agencies, shall pr.

SECTION 9. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the budgets of the implementing departments and agencies in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 10. Separabitity Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder or any of this provision hereof not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect,

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential issuances
and other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,