Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House pitt No._11219

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN SPACES IN BARANGAYS,
MUNICIPALITIES, AND CITIES IN THE PROVINCE OF CAVITE,AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Green spaces offer a balanced and healthy environment in communities. These spaces
promote biodiversity and combat air pollution. In addition, these spaces can enhance mental
and physical health, reduce stress levels, and provide recreational benefits. According to the
Climate Change Commission, access to green spaces is associated with numerous health
benefits, as it supports both physical and mental health. In addition, the agency stated that

numerous studies have stated that spending time in green spaces aids in the reduction of stress,

decreases blood pressure, and enhances mood.

In addition, the Ateneo de Manila University published an article stating that exposing
children to green spaces can help them adapt and prepare for the challenges posed by the
climate crisis. Moreover, a discussion paper by the United Nations International Children’s

Emergency Fund or UNICEF found that green spaces significantly benefit children’s physical,


mental, and social development from infancy to adulthood. Specifically, green spaces allow
children to have increased concer for nature, stronger neighborhood social cohesion, fewer
behavioral and social problems, reduced parenting stress, improved cognitive development,
academic performance, increased mental health, better balance and motor coordination, less

likely to develop nearsightedness, more physical activity, and higher birthweight.

However, rapid urbanization in provinces such as in Cavite has led to the reduction of
available green spaces. In February 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority Region IV-A
CALABARZON reported that there were 1,070 buildings constructed. This reflects a surge in
development that occurs at the expense of green areas. The continuous expansion of
infrastructures highlights the need to preserve and create green spaces to maintain the

ecological balance and enhance the quality of life for the constituents in Cavite.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 11219

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN SPACES IN BARANGAYS,
MUNICIPALITIES, AND CITIES IN THE PROVINCE OF CAVITE.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 “Cavite Public Green
Spaces Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to provide green spaces in
barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces to promote balanced and healthful ecology as
well as to beautify and enhance the environment.

SEC. 3. Scope. ~ This Act shall cover all barangays, municipalities, and cities in the
province of Cavite.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following definitions shall
apply:

a. Environment refers to the surroundings; all the conditions, circumstances, and

influences surrounding and affecting the development of an organism or group of organisms;


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b. Green spaces are open spaces for leisure, recreation, and promenade where soft
(ie. plants and trees) and hard (i.e. pavement, benches) landscape may be found.

SEC. 5. Objectives. — Pursuant to the policy declared herein, it is the objective of this
Act to:

a. Build, develop, and maintain green spaces in all barangays, municipalities, and
cities in the province of Cavite;

b. Provide a scenic environment in major areas of Cavite; and

c. Encourage the proliferation of green spaces in Cavite.

SEC. 6. Green Space Development Committee. — A Green Space Development
Committee is hereby created composed of the Provincial Governor of Cavite and the respective
Regional Directors of Region IV-A of the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the
Department of Tourism (DOT). The Green Space Development Committee shall initiate,
coordinate, and monitor all the activities of green space development.

‘The Green Space Development Committee shall tap any or all government agencies,
corporations, and  instrumentalities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), peoples
organizations (POs), Mayors in the province of Cavite, and the Barangay Captains in the
province of Cavite as local committees to provide resources and assistance in the
implementation of this Act.

The Green Space Development Committee shall have the power to promulgate the
pertinent rules and regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the objectives and
purposes of this Act within a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the

approval hereof.


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SEC. 7. Specific Functions of the Regional Offices. — For the purpose of carrying out

effectively the provisions of this Act,

a. The DPWH Regional IV-A shall:

1. Provide the necessary technical data with respect to the classification,
location, condition, and length of all existing vacant public lots in barangays,
municipalities, and cities in the province of Cavite; and

2. Provide the necessary tools, equipment, and manpower to effect, the
development of green spaces.

b. The DILG Regional IV-A shall:

1. Mobilize the LGUs to ensure prompt and effective implementation of
this Act in every barangay, municipality, and cities in the province of Cavite; and

2. Effect the apprehension and prosecution of all persons violating the
provisions of this Act.

c. The DENR Regional IV-A shall:

1. Determine the suitable species of trees and provide seeds or saplings to
be planted in the green spaces, suited to the kind, classification, and condition of the
area; and

2. Provide for effective measures and ways for the optimum maintenance
of green spaces and the healthy growth of trees and plants in the same.

d. The DOT Regional IV-A shall:

1. Assist in the conceptualization, design, and site-evaluation of green
spaces in barangays, municipalities, and cities in the province of Cavite; and

2. Provide effective measures and ways for the optimum maintenance of

green spaces.


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SEC. 8. Prohibited Acts. — No cutting and destroying of trees and plants found in the
green spaces shall be permitted except when the cutting and destroying of the same is necessary
for public safety. Likewise, littering in and destroying of the structures in the green spaces are
strictly prohibited.

SEC. 9. Persons Liable and Penalties. - Any person who destroys, damages, or litters
the green spaces shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months to not
more than one (1) year or a fine of not less than Three Thousand Pesos (PHP 3,000.00), or with
both such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. — The funds needed for the implementation of the green
space development in this Act shall be taken from any available appropriations in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA) for the year; Provided That, funds for this purpose shall also be
included in the GAA for the following year and every year thereafter; Provided finally, That
there shall be equitable and proportionate appropriations of funds annually for this purpose for
all barangays, municipalities, and cities in the province of Cavite. In addition, financial grants
or loans extended to the province of Cavite by foreign governments and multilateral agencies
shall be allocated to augment the annual appropriation.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,