Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DATE:
Constitution Hills, Quezon City TIME:

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 5549

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ELISA T. KHO, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

Planting trees is beneficial to the earth in the face of accelerating climate
change. Increased human activity is believed to be causing global warming. Major
reduction of forest resources over the years contributed to the problem of climate
change. As we plant trees, they substantially reduce the concentration of harmful
gasses that are responsible for global warming.

At a local level, tree-planting should be promoted especially in the family. As
the family grows, human activity increases. With each child born to the family, the
child is a potential contributor to global warming.

This bill would be requiring the parents to plant a tree for each child born to
their family. The tree planting activity involves the family as a partner in the solution
of the global warming problem. It increases their awareness about climate change
and the need to address the same as this has a direct effect on the future of the next
generation. It makes the basic social unit an important and powerful agent of change
against the threat of global warming.

In view of the importance of this matter, we urgently ask for the passage of
this bill.

Agung RM
HON. ELISA T. KHO, M.D.

2 Rigeven “2

“ig



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 5549

—_-

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ELISA T. KHO, M.D.

AN ACT
REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT ONE TREE FOR EVERY CHILD BORN
TO THEM, AND FOR OTHER 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 “Parent's Tree Planting
Act of 2017”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy —It is the declared policy of the State to
initiate Reforestation Program in order to mitigate global warming and address
climate change. In support of the National Greening Program of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, the involvement of all Filipinos are enjoined
for the program to succeed. As the Filipino family grows, each member of the family
would be a carbon footprint contributor, hence the responsibility of caring for the
environment should be a shared responsibility of all, especially the family.

SECTION 3. Mandatory Family Tree Planting — Every couple residing in the
Philippines whether legally married or not, shall be required to plant one tree for
every child born to them. These trees shall be planted within the premises of their
family home. If the same is not possible, the same shalll be planted in the areas to be
designated by the concerned Local Government Unit (LGU) where they reside.

SECTION 4. Provision of Seedlings — Each Local Government Unit throughout
the Philippines shall maintain a seedling bank and will serve as a ready source of tree
seedlings to be provided to couples planting the tree under this Act.


SECTION 5. Care of Trees. — The caring and nurturing of the trees planted
pursuant to this Act shall fall on the parents, regardless of location, including those
planted in public lands or along highways until such time as the trees have reached
maturity.

SECTION 6. Joint Sworn Statement Attesting to Compliance. — As a
prerequisite for the release of the Certificate of Live Birth of the child, the Local Civil
Registrar of the City or Municipality where the birth of a child shall be registered
shall require a sworn statement executed by both parents, or by the solo parent
exercising parental authority over the child, stating that they have planted a tree in
compliance with the requirement of this Act, and sworn before the Punong Barangay
where they reside if the trees were planted within the premises of the family home, or
before the appropriate Punong Barangay where the trees were planted in other sites.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources shall issue the necessary rules and regulations
to carry into effect the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 8. Penal Provision. - Any violation of this Act by any Local Civil
Registrar shall be penalized by a suspension for 15 days or a fine of Ten Thousand
Pesos (10,000.00), or both, upon the discretion of the court, for the first offense; for
the second offense, suspension of one month or a fine of Fifteen Thousand Pesos
(P15,000.00], or both, upon the discretion of the court; and for the third offense, the
Local Civil Registrar shall be dismissed from office. The prosecution of violations
committed by the Local Civil Registrar shall be without prejudice to the filing of a
criminal case against the guilty parents or parent.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall be effective fifteen (15] days following the

completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved