REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1650

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to require the planting of trees for any construction of
residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings. This bill has already been
approved by the House of Representatives on its 3“ and final reading in the 17"
and 18" Congress. It is now being filed to further support the State’s campaign
against climate change and global warming.

Today, the biggest threat that we face is climate change. It is real as the rise
in global temperature over the last decade can be felt worldwide. If one may ask, is
it bad? The answer is no. It is worse. Unlike decades back, no political candidate
can now run a house to house campaign at 1:00 in the afternoon without getting
fried in the open. It is now becoming hotter and drier every year. Even the sea level
is now rising up as a result of global warming, not to mention extreme flooding in
recent years. If we will allow climate change to run unchecked, there won’t be
much of us left in the future. There is a need for us to individually and collectively
adapt measures which can mitigate the effects of climate change or global
warming.

One such measure is to require everyone to plant a tree. In this legislative
measure, anyone who applies for a building permit for residential, commercial,
industrial and public building must first submit as prior requisite a Tree Planting
Plan in addition to the other requirements imposed by the concerned local
government unit. Without the plan no building permit will be issued. This is one
way of requiring everyone to actively participate in arresting the effects of climate
change.


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

race i /
MARL’ PRIMIC! AGABAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVE
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _1650

Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

AN ACT REQUIRING THE PLANTING OF TREES FOR ANY
CONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL
AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS

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

Congress assembled:

1 SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Green Building Act”.

2 SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall protect and advance the right of the
3 people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony
4 of nature. Towards this ends, the State shall promote the planting of trees to enhance
5 environmental quality, mitigate the effects of climate change, and preserve the
6 environment for present and future generations.

7 SEC. 3. Tree Planting Requirement for Permits. — All applicants for building
8 permits of residential, commercial, industrial and public building development
9 projects are hereby required to submit a Tree Planting Plan (TPP) in addition to the
10 other requirements imposed by local government units. Any person, firm,
cr corporation, department, office, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the

2 government intending to construct, alter, repair, or convert any building or structure,


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is required to set aside, and properly maintain in said property are as adequate for

planting and maintaining trees and flora.
‘The TPP shall be simple plan containing the following:
(a) Total area of the project
(b) Indicated layout of the area/s to be planted;

(c) Number of trees to be planted, taking into account the ratio of at least
‘one (1) tree for every five hundred (500) square meters for commercial or
industrial projects or one (1) tree for every two hundred fifty (250) square

meters for housing development projects;
(d) The species to be planted; and

(©) The construction and design of said areas for trees and flora, which
shall give emphasis to the fagade of the structure and all communal areas.
SEC. 4. Preference for Indigenous Species. - The TPP required under
Section 3 hereof shall give preference to indigenous species of trees, taking
into account the location, climate and topography of the area.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Environment and Natural resources
(DENR), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG)and the Department of Agriculture (DA), shall issue the
necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this
Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of
implementation, rules and regulations or part or parts thereof inconsistent with any
provision of this Act are hereby

repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. ~ Should any portion or provision of this act be
declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other provisions

hereof shall continue to be in force.


41 SEC. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
a2 publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

43 Approved,