TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
813
of ilir ilwi iTtar^
25. AUG-4 PI 33
WTtr-'hD:?'
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE 
STUDENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES EACH AS A CIVIC DUTY FOR 
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution enshrines the State's dual mandate to 
empower the youth as nation-builders (Article II, Section 13) and to protect a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature (Article II, 
Section 16). This proposed legislation aims to realize both mandates through a simple 
but impactful act: requiring all graduating senior high school and college students to 
plant two (2) trees as a civic duty and contribution to environmental preservation.
Forests are critical to the Philippines' ecological resilience. They serve as natural 
buffers against disasters, regulate water systems, mitigate the impacts of climate 
change by sequestering carbon, and provide habitat for endemic species and 
indigenous communities. However, the country continues to suffer from rapid 
deforestation. According to the Forest Management Bureau and Global Forest Watch, 
the Philippines lost an average of over 38,000 hectares of natural forest annually from 
2015 to 2023. This is equivalent to more than 100 hectares per day. This rate of loss 
threatens not only biodiversity and ecosystem services, but also the nation's food and 
water security.


By institutionalizing a tree-planting requirement among the youth, this measure 
seeks to address the urgent need for reforestation while instilling environmental 
stewardship at an early age.
The bill is also aligned with the goals of the United Nations Decade on 
Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)1, which calls for the mobilization of governments 
and citizens alike to restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience. 
It encourages collaboration among schools, communities, local governments, and key 
government agencies such as the DENR, DepEd, and CHED.
OREN LEGARDA
1https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/publications/action-plan-un-decade-ecosystem-restoration-
2021-2030


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
813
of llir ■■ 
1
25 AUG-4 PI 33
RFCEiVtOJ (T
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE 
STUDENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES EACH AS A CIVIC DUTY FOR 
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR
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 "Graduating Students
2 
for Reforestation Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to protect
4 
and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
5 
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end, the State shall
6 
promote and pursue reforestation programs and encourage tree planting as a means
7 
of involving the youth in public and civic affairs.
8 
Sec. 3. Tree-planting as a Mandatory Requisite for Graduation. —All graduating
9 
students from senior high school and college shall be required to plant at least two
10 
(2) trees as a mandatory prerequisite for their graduation. The tree-planting activity
11 
shall be their first act of public service as they enter the country's labor force.
12 
Sec. 4. Location. —The trees to be planted under this Act shall be located in
13 
suitabie lands and areas as determined by the Department of Environment and Natural
14 
Resources (DENR) and local government units, in coordination with schools, colleges,
15 
and universities.


1 
Sec. 5. Preference for Indigenous Species. —The species of trees to be planted
2 
should be appropriate to the location, climate, and topography of the area with
3 
preference for the planting of indigenous species.
4 
Sec. 6. Partner Agencies and Stakeholders. — The Department of Education
5 
(DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall implement the
6 
provisions of this Act, in partnership with the following agencies:
7 
a. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
8 
b. Department of Agriculture (DA);
9 
c. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);
10 
d. Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and
11 
e. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
12 
The responsibilities of these agencies shall include:
13 
1. Establishment of nursery and preparation of seedlings;
14 
2. Site identification and preparation;
15 
3. Technical support and extension service; and
16 
4. Monitoring and evaluation.
17 
Sec. 7. Provision of Seedlings. — The Community Environment and Natural
18 
Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR and the DA, in partnership with local
19 
government units (LGUs) throughout the Philippines, shall maintain a seedling bank
20 
and will serve as ready source of seedlings to be provided to senior high schools,
21 
colleges, and universities for the implementation of this Act.
22 
Sec. 8. Implementing Ruies and Reguiations. — The DepEd and CHED, in
23 
coordination with DENR and DILG, and in consultation with other agencies, shall
24 
promulgate and issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) necessary to
25 
implement this Act within sixty (60) days after its approval.
26 
Sec. 9. Appropriations. —The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
27 
this Act shall be included in the budgets of the implementing departments/agencies in
28 
the annual General Appropriations Act.
29 
Sec. 10. Separabiiity Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared
30 
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
31 
and effect.


1 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
2 
proclamations, or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions
3 
of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 
complete publication in at least two newspapers of general publication.
Approved,