Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil! No. _4 460

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Introduced by Hon. Mark Aeron H. Sambar

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Constitution, Article 2, Section 16 provides:

‘The State shall protect and advance the right of the people ta @
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature.

Global warming is now almost unanimously accepted as a serious problem that is
man- made — primarily through the use of fossil fuels — and that demands, concrete remedial
action as soon as possible. History has shown that in the past, events like the temporary
boycott by some of the major petroleum producers in the 1970’s highlighted that countries
have a national security problem related to both price and availability of one of our main
‘energy sources, The problems of protecting the environment and conserving energy are both
inescapable and of a pressing nature.

Over the decades, there has not been a dearth of ideas on how to advance our “right to
a balanced and healthful ecology.” Earth Day, for example, was first oclebrated on 22 April
1970 in the United States. It is now observed in more than 175 countries annually. {tis meant
10 inspire awareness and appreciation of our environment, Experience has shown, however,
that one day in a year is not enough to sustain a culture of environmentalism, The monthty
reminder and push that this bill provides will guarantee a sustained response to the challenges
posed by scarce resources and global waning.


‘This bill will require the Department of Environment and Natural Resour. 2s and the
Department of Education, along with oth.- stakeholders, to provide i. formation,
coordination, and support services to public «nd -rivate entities in ensuring a systematic and
lasting effort of protecting the environment

N. Mi PRON H. SAMBAR
Representtive, rsa, (yaning Atieta Pai y List



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

RIFIEENTH CONGRESS
First Reqular Session
House BillNo.__ 4 46Q

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Introduced by Hom. Mark Aeron H, Sambar '

AN ACT DECLARING THE FIRST DAY
OF EVERY MONTH AS EARTH CONSCIOUSNESS DAY

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

SECTION 2. Short Title. - This Act shalt be known as the “Monthly Observance of
Farth Consciousness Day Act of 2011.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to afford full
Protection and the advancement of the right of the people to a healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In this tight, the State has adopted the Philippine
Agenda 21 framework which espouses sustainable development, to fulfil! human needs while
maintaining the quality of the natural environment for current and future generations.

As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
State adopts the ultimate objective of the Convention which is the stabilization. of greenhouse
aS Concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate system which should be achieved within a time frame sufficient
to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not

threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner,


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SECTION 3. Special Working Holiday. - In recognition of the need to establish a
comprehensive and tasting national consciousne: ; of protecting the environmec, the first day
of every month is hereby declared as a speci:} working holiday to be kne vn as “Earth
Consciousness Day".

SECTION 4. Activities that shall be undertaken in observance of this occasion. ~

(a) Heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and
controlled corporations, local government units and employers in the private sector shall,
together with their employees, organize, engage or participate in activities designed to raise
public awareness on protecting the enviroament.

{b) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the
Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) shall lead public and private school communities in organizing consciousness-raising
activities on the need to protect the environment. Each primary and secondary school shaft
plant at feast one (1) seedling every first day of the month in observance of Earth
Consciousness Day. They shall also emphasize the need to conserve energy and shalk
disseminate ways 1o lower everyone's energy consumption.

SECTION 5. Rules. — The Secretaries of the DENR and the DepEd shall, within sixty

(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, jointly promulgate rules and regulations to carry out
and enforce the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DENR and the Depkd.
‘Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full implementation shall be included in the

annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item.


SECTION 7. Sepurability Clause. — ¥ any provision, or part hereof is beld invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decroe or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to oF inconsistent
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,