FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 491 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
UnregUlated human activities have contributed to the deterioration of the 
community's quality of life and the degradation of the environment. Urbanization 
and modernization have rationalized the cutting of trees that otherwise give food, 
shelter, security and beauty of the surroundings. 
Efforts to prevent deforestation and promote afforestation of forest areas 
have failed. This proposed measure does not seek to amend much less repeal 
existing tree-planting laws; instead it will serve to complement the former in the 
hope that it will succeed and therefore, serve to buttress the implementation of 
said existing laws. It proposed to underwire tree-planting in the urban and 
countryside areas with the concerted effort of both the government and private 
sector. 
Indeed, there is a need for a collaborative effort between the State and its 
citizenry to fulfill the constitutional mandate of that "the State shall protect and 
advance the right if the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with 
the rhythm and harmony of nature." 
In view thereof, the proposed measure to establish a national committee 
which will oversee the implementation of the greening effort of the government. 
The passage of the bill is earnestly urged. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
491 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE THE URBAN AND COUNTRYSIDE GREENING IN THE 
PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This act shall be known and cited as the "Greening 
Act of 2010" . 
. SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. 
Recognizing the vital role of trees in 
ecological stability, it is hereby declared the national policy to ensure sufficient 
greenery in urban and countryside and to promote the right of the people to enjoy 
the benefits of a balanced and healthful ecology. 
SEC. 3. Scope. This Act shall apply to all barangays, municipalities, cities 
and provinces. 
SEC. 4. 
Objectives. Pursuant to the policy declared herein, it is the 
objective of this Act: 
(a) 
to build, develop and maintain forest parks in provincial, city 
and municipal plazas, elementary school grounds and by the 
planting of trees in national, provincial, municipal or barangay 
roads and other public open spaces where appropriate; 
(b) 
to require from the national agencies and local government 
units the planting of trees and shrubbery in specified areas; 
(c) 
to 
promote 
environmental 
consciousness 
among 
the 
community members, i.e. students, youth, other civic action 
groups, by encouraging active participation in tree-planting 
activities; 
(d) 
to protect trees from various human activities. 
SEC. 5. National Committee. A National Greening Committee is hereby 
created with the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) as 
Chairman and the respective secretaries of the Department of Public Works and 
Highways (DPWH), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Interior and 
Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (Dept. Ed.) and the 
Department of Agriculture (DA) as members. 


purposes of this Act within a period not later than ninety (90) days after the 
approval 'Of this Act. 
.It shall have the power to rule on disputes involving the Regional Greening 
Committee and to appoint or form an ad-hoc committee when the Regional 
Committee is unable to perform its duties. 
The National Committee also convenes every quarter to hear the reports 
or performance form the Regional Committee. 
SEC. 6. Regional Committee. A Greening Committee for every region in 
the country. In cooperation with the various local government offices, is hereby 
created to initiate and oversee all the tree-planting activities to be done in 
barangays, municipalities, cities and provinces in the respective regions. 
The Regional Director representing the Secretary of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the lead official of the 
concerned local government unit (LGU) shall both serve as Co-Chairman of the 
Committee. Members of the Committee, representing the respective secretaries, 
will be the regional directors of the Department of Public Works and Highways 
(DPWH), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Education (Dept. Ed.), 
and the Department of Agriculture (DA) and at most three (3) representatives 
form civic action groups appointed by the Chairman. 
The Regional Greening Committee shall coordinate with all the concerned 
government agencies, 
non-governmental 
organizations 
(NGOs), 
peoples 
organizations (Pos) and other civic action groups for assistance and cooperation 
in the implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 7. Specific functions of the Executive Department. Aside from 
the Committee responsibilities, 
(a) 
the DENR shall determine the suitable species of tree and 
provide seeds or saplings to be planted along or on major 
thoroughfares, suited to the kind, classifications, and condition 
of the area and shall provide technical support involving tree-
planting activities; 
(b) 
the LGU shall: 
(1) mobilize all local concerned agencies and communities to 
ensure prompt and effective implementation of this Act in every 
barangay, municipality, city and province; 
(2) provide for effective measures and ways for the optimum 
maintenance and sustainability of trees and shrubbery; 
(3) effect the apprehension, and the prosecution of all persons 
violating Section 8 and 9 of this Act; 
(c) 
the DPWH and the DA shall provide the technical support, i.e. 
the necessary tools, equipment, and manpower to effect the 
implementation of this Act; 
(d) 
the DOT shall assist in the conceptualization and site-
evaluation and cooperate in the maintenance of parks and 
specified areas and provide additional funding from its 
resources; 
(e) 
the DILG shall coordinate the local government units to ensure 
prompt and effective implementation of this Act; and 
(f) 
the Dept. Ed. Shall integrate the tree-planting activities into the 
school curriculum to 
raise awareness and to promote 
environmental consciousness. 


SEC. 8. Requirements for Tree Planting along National Roads. In 
consonance with the Department Order No. 15 of the Department of Public 
Works and Highways issued on the 24th January 2000, all projects concerning to 
the construction and development of national roads shall comply with the 
following standard requirements: 
(a) the trees that will be planted along the national roads shall be of 
varieties of the root system which grow downward rather than 
. sideward to avoid road and sidewalk slabs destruction; 
(b) trees shall be planted in a neat row, within the road right-of-way 
(ROW) and as close as possible to the ROW limit, with sufficient 
allowance so that fully grown trees will not encroach on the 
adjoining property or touch electric and other overhead utility 
lines; 
(c) the center-to-center spacing between trees shall be 10-20 
meters (m). for road sections with a generally north-south 
alignment, the trees in one side of the road shall be planted 
alternately with the trees on the other side, thus ensuring 
adequate sunlight needed for dying the road; 
(d) for roads without curbs, the trees shall be planted with a 
minimum clear distance of 0.62 meters beyond the edge of the 
Shoulder, but in no case less that 0.30 meters from the edge of 
the pavement; 
(e) for roads with curbs, particularly in urban areas, the trees shall 
be planted with a minimum setback of 1.00 meters beyond the 
face of the curb; 
(f) where there are longitudinal drainage canals, the trees shall be 
planted on the outer side of such canals; 
(g) on roadway curve and intersections, the pertinent design 
standards on sight distance shall be observes; 
(h) non-traversable hazards (ravine, waiting shed, and the like) 
along the line of trees shall be provided with appropriate clearly 
marked barriers so that these do not pose hazard to motorists; 
(i) the Department of Public Works and Highways shall be 
principally responsible for the watering and maintenance of the 
planted trees, wherein it may utilize its available resources, 
effect its existing policies and formulate new ones as may be 
necessary; provided, however, that the newly formulated 
policies and guidelines are consistent with provisions contained 
herein. 
U) The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall, 
within ninety (90) days after the approval of the Act and every 
one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter, submit periodic 
reports to the National Greening Committee. 
SEC. 9. Tree Planting in Urban and Country Parks, Public Vacant 
Lots, and Other Permissible Areas. Planting of trees shall be mandatory in 
urban and countryside parks as well in school grounds, vacant lots, and other 
unutilized sited identified with quality of soil where different or certain species of 
trees can thrive. This shall apply top all publicly-owned lands, without exempting 
the properties of interested private individuals or institutions. 
(a) Scope. The areas covered by this provision shall include: 
i. 
All public parks in urban and rural areas; 
ii. 
All public school grounds in the city and in the 
provinces; 


iii. 
All idle public lands in urban and rural areas, unless 
otherwise identified to soon be used for other 
purposes such as agriculture, infrastructure-building, 
and others; 
iv. 
Parks, schools and other pieces of land owned by 
private 
individuals, 
organizations, 
or 
institutions 
whose proprietor/s voluntarily and willingly subject 
their properties in this Act. 
(b) General Guidelines. Tree planting in the duly qualified areas 
shall comply with the following general guidelines: 
i. 
Considering the classification and condition of the soil 
and the total land area of the site, suited species of 
forest trees of fast growing trees shall be planted in 
the identified areas; 
ii. 
In case wherein multiple one is not more than four (4) 
meters apart from another; 
iii. 
The Regional Greening Committee shall facilitate and 
supervise 
all 
the tree-planting 
activities 
in 
its 
jurisdiction. The government agencies concerned 
shall perform their duties and responsibilities as 
indicated in Section 7, Specific Functions of the 
Executive Department, of this Act; 
iv. 
The Regional Greening Committee shall, within ninety 
(90) days after the approval of the Act and everyone 
hundred eight (180) days, thereafter submit periodic 
reports to the National Greening Committee. 
SEC. 10. Issuing of Permits. The Issuance of Permit allowing a person 
or company to cut, uproot and in any way disturb the planted trees given by the 
DENR should also be approved and co-signed by the Regional Committee 
following public consultation done by and the consensus of the Regional 
Committee. 
SEC. 11. Prohibited Act. No cutting and destroying of trees and plants 
shall b.e permitted, except when the cutting and destroying of the same is 
necessary for public safety, and the subject to the issuance of permits. 
SEC. 12. Persons Liable and Penalties therefore. Any person who 
violated section 9 and 10 shall be punished with imprisonment of not less that six 
(6) months to not more that one (1) year or a fine of not less than Three 
Thousand Pesos to not more than Ten Thousand Pesos, or with both 
imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court. 
SEC. 13. Submission of Reports. The National Committee shall within 
ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act and every one hundred eighty 
(1800 days thereafter submit periodic reports to both Houses of Congress of the 
Philippines for evaluation and consideration. 
SEC. 14. Funding. The fund needed for the implementation of this Act 
shall be taken from any available appropriation in the General Appropriation Act 
(GAA) for 2001; provided, that funds for this finally, that there shall be equitable 
and proportionate appropriations of funds annually for this purpose for all 
barangays, muniCipalities, cities, and provinces. In addition, adequate portion of 
financial grants and concessional loans extended to Philippines by foreign 
governments and multilateral agencies every year, the amount to be determined 


by the President, shall be allocated to augment the annual appropriations until 
this Act is fully implemented. 
SEC. 15. Separability Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, or 
parts thereof, consistent with this Act Are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 16. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,