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Republic of the Philippines | Beis =
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES x &
Quezon City X RS
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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3352

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill mandates graduating elementary, high school and college students
nationwide to plant at least ten (10) tree saplings as a requirement for graduation.

On September 26, 2017 the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO)
Philippines assessed the air quality and effects of air pollution on the health of Filipinos.
Among many findings, what was most alarming was that in Metro Manila, the annual
average of air pollutants is seventy (70%) higher than the recommended safe level of
ambient air quality and particle pollution. This exposes the general population to air
quality levels that may lead to respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. Although rural areas
have less air pollution, there is still rampant exposure to sulfate, nitrates, and black carbon
~ all extremely dangerous to people's health. Apart from health risks resulting from air
pollution, climate change is also a serious problem arising from the extraordinary amount
of carbon emissions we create due to rapid urbanization.

One of the most accessible and easily achievable means of addressing these
environmental concerns is to reforest and plant more trees. Unfortunately, deforestation is
so widespread and reforestation efforts very sporadic, that the rate at which we replenish
our green resources can no longer offset the carbon emissions we create, More than ever,
the planting of trees to filter dangerous pollutants and sequester carbon dioxide from the
air becomes necessary.

Through the passage of this bill, graduating students will be tapped to plant trees.
The boundless energy of the youth will be maximized while allowing them to leave a legacy
for the environment. More importantly, it will instill the importance of caring for our
natural resources early on in life and encourage younger children to likewise take on this
social responsibility of caring for the ecosystem.

A similar version of this bill was approved on 3* and final reading during the 17%
Congress. Support for this bill is again earnestly sought.

24 District, Davao Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3352
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING ELEMENTARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
STUDENTS TO PLANT AT LEAST TEN (10) TREE SAPLINGS EACH
AS A PREREQUISITE FOR GRADUATION

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “The Tree Planting Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. All graduating students from grade school, high school and college shall
be required to plant at least ten (10) tree saplings as a mandatory prerequisite for their
graduation. Special exemptions from this requirement may be given to students for health,

religious, or other similarly acceptable reasons.

SECTION 3. The trees to be planted under this Act shall be located in any of the
following areas:

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2) Mangrove and protected areas;

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Forestlands;

Ancestral domains;

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Civil and military reservations;

5) Urban areas under the greening plan of the local government units;

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Inactive and abandoned mine sites; and

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Other suitable lands.

SECTION 4. Taking into consideration the location, climate and topography of each

locality, endemic or indigenous tree species shall be preferred in all planting activities.

SECTION 5. Within ninety (90) days from the enactment of this Act, the Department

of Education and the Commission on Higher Education in coordination with the


Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Interior and Local
Government, shall promulgate and issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations

necessary to implement this Act.

SECTION 6. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the budgets of the implementing departments/ agencies in the annual General

Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. All laws, decrease, executive orders, ordinances, rules and regulations
and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act

are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.
SECTION 8. The invalidity, unconstitutionality or unenforceability of any provision
of this Act shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions

hereof.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication

in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.