Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 498.1

Introduced by Rep. Doy C. Leachon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. During
the past decades, our country has endured from deadly typhoons, storm surge, volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. According to studies, this is due to
its location along the Ring of Fire, or typhoon belt ~ a large Pacific Ocean region where
many of Earth’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. Annually, approximately 80
typhoons develop above tropical waters, of which 19 enter the Philippine region and six

to nine make landfall in our country. Thus, the same are inevitable in our country.

Last November 8, 2013 Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, considered as the strongest
typhoon in the history of mankind had tattered Eastern Visayas. According to National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Update as of January 10,
2014, number of deaths were estimated to be at 6,190; 28,626 were reported injured
and 1,785 are still missing. Cost of damages was estimated at PhpP 36,690, 882,497.27
with PhP 18,336,576,527.39 for infrastructures and PhpP 18,354,305,869.88 for

agriculture in Region IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII, VIII and CARAGA.


Typhoon Yolanda was the worst tropical cyclone that hit the Philippines on 8
November 2013, killing at least 6,201 people. Typhoon Yolanda caused huge
destruction in the Visayas, particularly Samar and Leyte Provinces and accordingly,
about 11 million people have been affected and many have been left without homes,

In view of this, there is a strong need to increase awareness, enhance education
and curb these preventable catastrophic illnesses through the system wide approach

triggered at the national level.

Planting trees on a national level will help address the ill effects of climate
change through PPP project knowing very well that protecting the environment is
everyone's concern in society.

The Philippines observes Arbor Day on 25 June by planting trees and ornamental
plants and other forms of relevant activities pursuant to Proclamation No. 643, series of
2004 and other internationally-recognized environment-themed holidays, such as Earth
Day on 22 April and World Earth Day on 25 June.

This piece of legislation is a measure to strengthen Senator Grace Poe's
Resolution in the Senate entitled, “Joint Resolution on the observance of the “DAY OF
RISING” in the Philippines beginning November 8 of this year- A day to plant trees, to
meaningfully remember Arbor Day, and to rekindle the bayanihan spirit- venerating a
year of survival after typhoon Yolanda.

Hence, the necessity and immediacy of approving this bill is of highly

importance.

PAULINO SALVADOR ™ Di C. LEACHON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

4981

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. Doy C. Leachon

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER 8 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE “DAY OF RISING’-
A DAY TO PLANT TREES, TO MEANINGFULLY REMEMBER ARBOR DAY, AND
TO REKINDLE THE BAYANIHAN SPIRIT-VENERATING A YEAR OF SURVIVAL
AFTER TYPHOON YOLANDA.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled.

Section 1. Short Title.-This act shall be known as “The National Day of Rising Act
of 2014”.

Section 2, Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared a policy of the State that it
is her duty to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthy
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

The State recognizes the importance of protecting the right of the people to a
balance and healthful ecology that the Supreme Court declared the State’s mandate by
affirming that right in the landmark case of Oposa vs. Factoran, G.R. No. 101083 that
“..unless the right to a balanced and healthful ecology is protected...the day would not
be far when all else would be lost for...generations which stand to inherit nothing but
parched earth incapable of sustaining life”.

Section 3. National Day of Rising. - November 8 of every year is hereby declared
as National Day of Rising.

Section 4, Implementing Agency.- The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and the Departments of Education and the Interior and Local Governments
in coordination with the Climate Change Commission, and in partnership with the Civil
Society, the academe and media shall be the lead agencies and shall plan and
implement activities for the observance of the “National Day of Rising” by making
available seeds, seedlings and plants.


Section 5. Effectivity.- This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,