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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES lS RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ne
‘Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS Ss,
First Regular Session 2 per A
House Bill No. 56 =

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the 1993 case of Oposa v, Factoran' the Supreme Court recognized the concept of inter-
generational equity, upholding the rights of minors to sue for the judicious management of
our country's forests and the necessity of maintaining a sound ecological balance and
protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment in accordance with Sections 15 and
16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution.

Recognizing that a system of inter-generational equity involving both rights and
responsibilities may be substantially more effective in achieving the twin goals of
environment protection and sustainable development, this bill seeks to impose a positive duty
upon all graduating elementary, high school and college students to plant at least ten (10)
trees as a prerequisite for graduation, These trees shall be their legacy to the environment and

to future generations.

Indeed, while we recognize the right of the youth to a balance and healthful ecology, as
proclaimed in the 1987 Constitution, there is no reason why they cannot be made to

contribute in order to ensure that this would be an actual reality.

With over 12 Million students graduation from elementary and nearly 5 Million students
graduation from high school’and almost 500,000° graduating from college each year, this
initiative, if properly implemented, will ensure that at least 175 Million new trees would be

-. Factoran, G.R. No, 101083 promulgated on 30 July 1993 (En Banc).

* Basic Education Information System - Data Bulletin, Previous Schoo! Year Promotees and Graduates in Government Elementary and
‘Schools by Year! Grade Level and by Sex, Schoo! Year 2010-2011, Information retrieved from Research & Statistics Division

Office of Planning Service, Department of Education on

20 March 2012

52009 Data. Information retrieved from Commission on Higher Education on 20 March 2012.

%
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planted each year. In the course of one generation,‘ no less than 525 Billion trees can be
planted under this initiative. Even with a survival rate of on ten percent (10%), tins would
mean an additional 525 Million trees would be available for the youth to enjoy, when they

assume the mantle of leadership in the future.

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

MAI ;OCHAN III
Representa
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List

* Computed at thirty (30) years.


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 56

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN IIL

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING ELEMENTARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND
COLLEGE STUDENTS TO PLANT AT LEAST TEN (10) TREES EACH AS A
PREREQUISITE FOR GRADUATION AND FOR OTHER RELATED 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 "Graduation Legacy for the
Environment Act of 2019".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to pursue programs and
projects that promote environmental protection, biodiversity, climate change mitigation,
poverty reduction and food security. To this end, the educational system shall be a locus for
propagating ethical and sustainable use of natural resources among the young to ensure the
cultivation of a socially responsible and conscious citizenry.

SEC. 3. Tree-planting as a Mandatory Requisite for Graduation. All graduating
students from grade school, high school, and college shall be required to plant at least ten
(10) trees as a mandatory prerequisite for their graduation. Said trees shall be their living
legacy to the environment and to future generations of Filipinos.

SEC. 4. Location. - The trees to be planted under this Act shall be located in any of
the following areas:

1) Forestlands;

2) Mangrove and protected areas;

3) Ancestral domains;

4) Civil and military reservations;

5) Urban areas under the greening plan ofthe LGUs;
6) Inactive and abandoned mine sites; and

7) Other suitable lands.

SEC. 5. Preference For Indigenous Species. — The planted species of trees should be
appropriate to the location, climate and topography of the area with preference for the
planting of indigenous species.


SEC. 6. Partner Agencies/Stakeholders. — The Department of Education (DepEd)
and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall implement the provisions of this
‘Act, in partnership with the following agencies:

(a) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
(b) Department of Agriculture (DA)

(c) Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)

(a) Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

(e) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

(f) Department of Health

(g) Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
(h) Department of National Defense (DND)

(i) Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

(j) Department of Justice (DOJ)

(k) National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)

(I) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
(m)Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)

The responsibilities of these agencies shall include:

1. Nursery establishment

2. Seedling production and site preparation

. Site identification

ring and evaluation

ion of security, transportation, fire protection amenities and medical support
. Technical support and extension services

ava

SFC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DepEd, the CHED, in
coordination with the DENR and DILG, and in consultation with other agencies, shall
promulgate and issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) necessary to implement
this Act within sixty (60) days after its approval.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
‘Act shall be included in the budgets of the implementing departments/agencies in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules
and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any
provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — Should any portion or provision of this Act be
declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other provisions hereof shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,