Republic of the Philippines : oS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [ r SEIVE D ZN

Quezon City an
Jue ot )

EIGHTEENTH (18) CONGRESS \
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. face

Introduced by HON. ELISA T. KHO, M.D.,FPCCP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Planting trees is beneficial to the earth in the face of accelerating climate
change. Increased human activity is believed to be causing global warming. Major
reduction of forest resources over the years contributed to the problem of climate
change. As we plant trees, they substantially reduce the concentration of harmful
gasses that are responsible for global warming.

Ata local level, tree-planting should be promoted especially in the family.
‘As the family grows, human activity increases. With each child born to the family,
the child is a potential contributor to global warming.

‘This bill would be requiring the parents to plant a tree for each child born
to their family. The tree planting activity involves the family as a partner in the
solution of the global warming problem. It increases their awareness about
climate change and the need to address the same as this has a direct effect on the
future of the next generation. It makes the basic social unit an important and
powerful agent of change against the threat of global warming.

In view of the importance of this matter, we urgently ask for the passage of

this bill.
HON. neal KHO, M.D.,FPCCP
, I

Representative
2™4 District, Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH (18) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

0464
HOUSE BILLNo._

Introduced by HON. ELISA T. KHO, M.D.,FPCCP

AN ACT
REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT ONE TREE FOR EVERY CHILD
BORN TO THEM, 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 the “Parent's Tree
Planting Act of 2017”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy — It is the declared policy of the State to
initiate Reforestation Program in order to mitigate global warming and address
climate change. In support of the National Greening Program of the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources, the involvement of alll Filipinos are
enjoined for the program to succeed. As the Filipino family grows, each member
of the family would be a carbon footprint contributor, hence the responsibility of
caring for the environment should be a shared responsibility of all, especially the
family.

SECTION 3. Mandatory Family Tree Planting — Every couple residing in
the Philippines whether legally married or not, shall be required to plant one tree
for every child born to them. These trees shall be planted within the premises of
their family home. If the same is not possible, the same shall be planted in the
areas to be designated by the concerned Local Government Unit (LGU) where they
reside.

SECTION 4. Provision of Seedlings — Each Local Government Unit
throughout the Philippines shall maintain a seedling bank and will serve as a ready
source of tree seedlings to be provided to couples planting the tree under this Act.

SECTION 5. Care of Trees. — The caring and nurturing of the trees planted
pursuant to this Act shall fall on the parents, regardless of location, including,
those planted in public lands or along highways until such time as the trees have
reached maturity.


SECTION 6. Joint Sworn Statement Attesting to Compliance. — As a
prerequisite for the release of the Certificate of Live Birth of the child, the Local
Civil Registrar of the City or Municipality where the birth of a child shall be
registered shall require a sworn statement executed by both parents, or by the solo
parent exercising parental authority over the child, stating that they have planted
a tree in compliance with the requirement of this Act, and sworn before the
Punong Barangay where they reside if the trees were planted within the premises
of the family home, or before the appropriate Punong Barangay where the trees
were planted in other sites.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to carry into effect the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 8. Penal Provision. - Any violation of this Act by any Local Civil
Registrar shall be penalized by a suspension for 15 days or a fine of Ten Thousand
Pesos (10,000.00), or both, upon the discretion of the court, for the first offense;
for the second offense, suspension of one month or a fine of Fifteen Thousand
Pesos (P15,000.00], or both, upon the discretion of the court; and for the third
offense, the Local Civil Registrar shall be dismissed from office. The prosecution
of violations committed by the Local Civil Registrar shall be without prejudice to
the filing of a criminal case against the guilty parents or parent.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. - ‘This Act shall be effective fifteen (15] days following

the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved