Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nil No, 2023

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Tree planting activities have enormous environmental benefits. It helps fight climate
change, prevent natural calamities, and make the air we breathe clean. These activities are
essential as we combat the issue of deforestation in our country. Despite the presence of log
ban and environmental protection laws, forest loss persists in the Philippines. From 2003 to
2015, hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest loss in different regions in the country were
reported.!

Meanwhile, in order to address the issue on forest loss in our country, this measure
seeks to task the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, other government
agencies, and non-government organizations to establish a National Tree Planting Program in
order to curb the continuing loss of forest cover in our country.

This is in consonance with the Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which
requires the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

* https://www.rappler.com/environment/hectares-land-philippines-
forested/tt:~:text=GFW%20data%20from%202002%20to, every% 20year%20during%20his%20term.


Likewise, a similar measure through House Bill 9190 was filed during the 18" Congress
by Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnest ht.

HON. JOS! iG” J. TEVES, JR.
Representative, TGP Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 7023

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING QUARTERLY TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY IN THE
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 “National Quarterly Tree
Planting Act”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm
and harmony of nature by encouraging people to actively participate in tree planting programs
and activities for the preservation and conservation of our natural land resources

SECTION 3. National Tree Planting Program. ~ The Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd),


Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP), and other relevant government agencies, shall establish and implement
a National Tree Planting Program which shall mobilize all sectors of society to participate in
nationwide tree planting activities to promote, protect and advance the right of the people to a
balanced and healthful ecology.

SECTION 4. Components of the National Tree Planting Program. — The Program
shall be consistent with existing environmental protection laws and shall include the following:

a. Volunteerism and participation of both public and private sectors;

b. Identification of underlying drivers of deforestation;

°

. Formulation of strategic initiatives to identify ideal tree planting sites and species;
9190

Operationalization of online, real-time updates of Tree Planting Programs and

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Activities;

°

. Generation of data for tree planting programs and activities, and other related
statistics;

£. Prompt submission of Tree Planting Participation Report and/or updates to include

the number of volunteers, local government unit participation and total number of

trees planted as well as its types;

cS

Strengthening reforestation and tree planting program information drive; and

=

Periodic evaluation of the Program to effectively manage, address and reduce the
threats of degradation of our natural resources and forests for the benefit of present
and future generations.

SECTION 5. Tree Planting Days. — National tree planting programs and activities
shall be regularly held once every quarter without prejudice to the tree planting programs and
activities of local government units, private individuals or entities.

SECTION 6. Selection of Tree Planting Sites. - The DENR, in coordination with the
DILG and all concerned local government units, shall select the sites for tree planting activities.


SECTION 7. Selection of Tree types. - The DENR shall determine what types or
kinds of trees are to be planted in a Tree Planting Site which will ultimately serve that best
interest of the natural environment.

SECTION 8. Role of Local Government Units. ~ All local government units (LGUs)
shall monitor the conduct of tree planting activities and ensure the active participation of their
constituents. The LGUs shall likewise submit to the DILG and DENR participation reports.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in consultation with the concerned government agencies and
stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations of this Act.

SECTION 10. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the DENR under the
General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the GAA.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full

force and effect.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. — Any provision of law, decree, order, rule or
regulation inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,