Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE GREENING AND FORESTLAND REHABILITATION AND 
PROTECTION AT THE BARANGAY LEVEL, STIMULATING LOCAL CLIMATE 
CHANGE ACTION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Climate change poses a significant threat to human lives, the environment, and the 
economy, endangering access to clean air, safe water, nutritious food, and secure shelter. In the 
Philippines, its effects are evident in altered rainfall patterns, droughts, rising sea levels, and its 
threats to biodiversity. Moreover, climate change significantly influences disease prevalence by 
altering environmental conditions that impact the spread, intensity, and geographic distribution 
of infectious and non-infectious diseases. 
To address these challenges, the State enacted Republic Act No. 10174, or the "Climate 
Change Act of 2009," mandating collaboration across national and local governments, 
businesses, and communities to mitigate climate impacts and maximize benefits.  
This proposed legislation emphasizes grassroots strategies to combat climate change by 
creating sustainable and eco-friendly environments at the barangay level, empowering local 
communities to adopt scientific, community-based measures for environmental conservation and 
rehabilitation. The bill challenges the limitations of traditional climate governance, focusing on 
localized solutions to drive meaningful and scalable progress in combating climate change. 
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January 13, 2025
5:30 pm


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE GREENING AND FORESTLAND REHABILITATION AND 
PROTECTION AT THE BARANGAY LEVEL, STIMULATING LOCAL CLIMATE 
CHANGE ACTION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Grassroots Climate Action Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Recognizing the vulnerability of local communities to the 
impact of climate change and the role of local governments as frontline agencies in the 
formulation and implementation of climate change action, it is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to advance climate change adaptation strategies from the national to the barangay level and 
promote the right of people to enjoy the benefits of a balanced and healthy ecology. 
Further recognizing that environmental degradation aggravates the impact of climate change, it is 
the policy of the State to advance greening and rehabilitation and protection of forest lands as a 
priority adaptation strategy. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
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(a.) Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or 
expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial 
opportunities 
(b.) Climate Change refers to a change in climate identified by changes in the mean and/or 
variability of its properties that persists for an extended period, typically decades or 
longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity 
(c.) Forest lands include the public forest, the permanent forest or forest reserves, and forest 
reservations 
(d.) Forest land rehabilitation programs shall include the conservation, management, and 
development of forest resources and biodiversity 
(e.) Forest resources shall refer to any timber stands of half a hectare or more regardless of 
land classification or ownership 
(f.) Local greening programs shall aim to build, develop, and maintain forest parks in 
provincial, city, municipal, and barangay parks, roads, elementary school grounds, and 
other public open spaces, where appropriate and in private lands where permitted or if 
such are left idle for at least 10 years. 
 
SECTION 4. Barangay Greening and Forest Land Rehabilitation and Protection. - Pursuant 
to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, local 
government units (LGUs) shall share the responsibility for sustainable management and 
utilization of forest resources within their territorial jurisdiction, including those assigned by law 
to other government agencies. The Barangay Environment Committee in the Barangay Council 
shall inventory forest resources in public and private lands for the City or Municipality to 
consolidate in their databases for planning purposes. These inventories should specify, as far as 
possible, the dominant species in the timber stands. 
 
Subject to vested rights, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and 
LGUs at the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay level, in consultation with other 
government agencies, local communities, non- government organizations, academic and research 
institutions, and other sectors, shall jointly undertake the planning, formulation, and 
implementation of local greening and forest land rehabilitation and protection programs. 
 
SEC. 5. Institutional Arrangements. - Each province, city, and municipality shall integrate the 
objectives of this Act in its policies, plans, and programs. Each city and municipality shall 
mobilize all concerned local agencies and communities to ensure prompt and effective 
implementation of this Act in every barangay. The LGUs shall conduct information and 
advocacy drives to promote local greening and forest and rehabilitation and protection programs, 
prioritizing native trees and if possible, species of endangered trees. 
 


The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall coordinate with the LGUs to 
ensure prompt and effective implementation of this Act. 
 
The Climate Change Commission (CCC), as the sole government agency tasked to coordinate, 
monitor, and evaluate government programs and actions plans relating to climate change, shall 
coordinate and synchronize programs on forest land rehabilitation to ensure harmonization with 
national plans and programs and to facilitate the provision of resources. 
 
DENR shall provide assistance to LGUs in the identification, selection, and allocation of sites for 
rehabilitation and local greening and in enhancing LGU capability for the planting of the right 
species, especially in critical watersheds, natural forests, and mangrove areas, the use of efficient 
reforestation technologies, and the necessary steps to protect the remaining natural forests and 
national parks. The DENR shall likewise assist in the planning and permitting to cull invasive 
tree species and/or species that may impact vulnerable food chain elements. The DENR shall 
also ensure that no program shall be implemented, in relation to the programs promoting the 
policy included herein, which introduces invasive species nor any other action that would 
negatively affect the biodiversity of the location of the program. 
 
All concerned agencies shall undertake information and advocacy drives. 
 
SEC. 6. Coordination with Forestry, Natural Resources, Agricultural, and Fisheries Schools. - 
Subject to the rules and regulations, DENR, in consultation with the Department of Education 
(DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), may promulgate forestry, natural 
resources, agricultural and fisheries schools, both public and private, shall participate in the 
national and local implementation and monitoring of this Act. The concerned national agencies 
shall facilitate government or other financial assistance for such participation.  
 
The DENR shall provide technical assistance for capacity building of participating educational 
institutions, not only to ensure an adequate, quality supply of planting materials but also to 
transfer and propagate appropriate technologies for local greening and forest land rehabilitation 
and protection. The DENR shall likewise mobilize civil society to assist in these tasks and help 
DENR with localized plans and inventories. 
 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR shall, in consultation with CCC and 
DILG, promulgate the pertinent rules and regulations to fully implement the objectives and 
purposes of this Act within a period not later than ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to initially implement the provision of this Act 
shall be taken out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated: Provided, 
that subsequent annual funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the 


General Appropriations Act: Provided, further, that there shall be an equitable and proportionate 
annual appropriation of funds, and access thereto, for this purpose for all barangays. 
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid 
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue 
to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, presidential decree, issuance, executive order, letter of 
instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,