Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. (3682,

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Climate change is now considered as one of the most fundamental challenges that
humanity needs to face. Climate includes patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity,

wind and seasons. Climate change affects more than just a change in the weather, it refers
to seasonal changes over a long period of time.

‘The climate patterns play a fundamental function in shaping natural ecosystems, and
the human economies and cultures that depend on them. Since various systems are at-
tached to climate, a change in climate may affect many related aspects of where and how
people, animals, and plants live, such as production of food, availability and use of water,
and threats to health.

Thus, climate change is very alarming ~ it can also affect biodiversity, sea level, ag-
riculture, forestry, water resources and availability, energy use and transportation.

In order to avert the worsening climate impacts and reduce the man-made green-
house gas emissions, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
must continue its National Greening Program, a climate change mitigation strategy that

aims to enhance the country’s forest stock to absorb carbon dioxide, which is largely

blamed for global warming. It is also intended to reduce poverty, providing alternative
livelihood activities for marginalized upland and lowland households relating to seedling
production, care and maintenance of newly-planted trees.

There are several impacts of climate change that could delay the realization of tar-
gets set under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); and thus, inable devel-
opment. A key to ensuring sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and achieving



economic growth is through the collective action of the citizens.

As a way of protecting our environment and helping the state in achieving its goals,
this measure requires parents to plant one (1) seedling for every child born to them,

According to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, an average of
4,791 babies are born daily. This is 200 babies per hour. A total of 1,748,857 births are
registered in 2014. Requiring every parent to plant one (1) seedling for every child born
to them will result to almost 2,000,000 seedlings planted annually. This significant num-
ber of seedlings to be planted as result of this measure will reduce the trees and seedlings
needed to be planted by the DENR through its Enhanced National Greening Program,

Furthermore, as a child grows, so does the seedling. The connection between the
child and their seedling leads to increased environmental consciousness and care. It will
also develop the citizens’ awareness and empower the parents and their children into real-
izing that a simple act can make a difference and that they can contribute in reaching the
state's goals to protect the environment and its people.

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


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session
3632

HOUSE BILL NO, ~*~

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

AN ACT REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT A SEEDLING FOR EVERY
CHILD BORN TO THEM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION I. Short title. — This act shall be known as “One Seedling for
every Child Born Act of 2016”

SECTION 2. Declaration of policy. ~ Section 16, Article II of the 1987
Constitution provides that the State shall Protect and advance the right of the Filipino
people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the thythm and harmony of
nature.

SECTION 3. Planting one (1) seedling for every child born. — To protect and
Preserve the environment, every couple residing in the Philippines, whether legally
married or not, shall be required to plant one seedling for every child born to them
The seedling shall be planted within the premises of their own home or in an area to
be designated by the Barangay Council where they reside, with the approval of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The planted species
should be appropriate to the site such as indigenous species, high value crops, frut
tees, bamboo or mangrove species.

TION 4. Seedling planting as an additional requirement for birth
certificate release. - To ensure the compliance to this Act, the City or Municipal
Local Civil Registry where the birth of the child shall be registered, must only release
the Certificate of Live Birth of the child upon the presentation of the parent's sworn
Statement of compliance. The affidavit must be sworn before the Punong Barangay if
the seedling was planted within the premises of their barangay or before the DENR
officer concerned if the seedling was planted in a government-designated area outside


the barangay where the family resides. Planting of the seedling must be done within
ninety (90) days after the child's birth.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. — The necessary budget to implement this Act,
including but not limited to the seedlings to be planted pursuant to this act, shall be
included in the annual budget of the DENR through the Enhanced National Greening
Program.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The DENR, through
the Environmental Management Bureau and Forest Management Bureau shall create
the Implementing Rules and Regulations within sixty (60) days from the enactment
of this Act.

SECTION 7. Repeating Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters
of implementations, rules and regulations or part or parts thereof inconsistent with
any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended
rdingly.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. ~ Should any portions or provisions of this
Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other portions
or provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.