Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo,__ 2303

Introduced by Honorable Godofredo V. Arquiza

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to require all Filipino citizens residing in Urban cities
and municipalities, owning more than two hundred (200) square meters of
vacant land to apportion or segregate at least twenty (20) per cent of said
land for planting trees and vegetables.

Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states:

“The State shall protect and advance the right of the
people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.”

The State takes cognizance of the continuing degradation of the
Philippine environment which has become a matter of national concern.
The quality of life of the people cannot advance unless the living
environment is nurtured and valuable natural resources are protected and
preserved.

We all know that the world is experiencing climate change and the
economic growth is crucially dependent upon the state of the human
environment. For this reason, the improvement of the quality of our
environment should occupy a higher place in the scheme of priorities of
our country.

It is necessary that we protect our dwindling natural resources from
further depletion to prevent floods. In this regard, all Filipino citizens
residing in Urban Cities and Municipalities, who own more than two
hundred (200) square meters of vacant land should cooperate by


segregating and apportioning at least twenty (20) per cent of said land for
the purpose of planting trees and vegetables, to reverse the damage that
has already been done by typhoons, severe storms and downpours that
have struck the nation.

Consequently, there is a need to pass this law to save our
environment from flood and prevent further injury to life, property,
health and safety. Hence, we must take substantial steps to help
solve the growing hazards so that these conditions can be arrested
and our country’s environment rehabilitated.

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

GODQFREDO V. ARQUIZA


Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _2 303

Introduced by Honorable Godofredo V. Arquiza

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL FILIPINOS RESIDING IN URBAN CITIES AND
MUNICIPALITIES, OWNING TWO HUNDRED (200) SQUARE METERS
OR MORE OF VACANT LAND, TO RESERVE AND SEGREGATE AT LEAST
TWENTY (20) PER CENT OF THEIR LAND TO PLANT TREES AND
VEGETABLES

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 “Tree Planting Act
of 2010.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - Section 16, Article II of the 1987
Constitution states:

“The State shall protect and advance the right of the
people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.”

Consonant with these constitutional principle, the following
are the declared policies of this Act:

(a) To take cognizance of the continuing degradation of
the Philippine environment which has become a national
concern;

b) To recognize the vital role of every Filipino citizen in
saving and improving our environment and natural
resources;


©) To recognize the importance of every Local
Government unit and every “barangay” and to actively
seek their partnership;

d) To encourage the Filipino family to cooperate and
give their full support to achieve this purpose;

In accordance with these policies, this Act aims to:

(4) adopt measures whereby every Filipino citizen
residing in Urban cities and municipalities, owning
more than two hundred (200) square meters of
vacant land to reserve and segregate at least
twenty (20) per cent of said land to plant trees and
vegetables; and

(2) establish a program in every local government
unit towards this objective.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are
defined as follows:

(a) “Ecology” is that branch of science that deals with the study
of the interrelationships of living things (organisms, plants and
animals) and their environment;

(b) “Local Government unit " shall mean - as defined in the
Local Government Code, as amended;

(c) “Tree” shall mean any woody perennial plant with one main
stem or trunk which develops many branches;

(d) “Vegetables” shall mean herbaceous plant cultivated for
food such as cabbage, potato, bean, etc.; and

(e) “Urban” shall mean comprising a city or town, as
distinguished from the country; opposed to rural.

Section 4. Duty of every Filipino citizen - Every Filipino citizen owning
more than two hundred (200) square meters of vacant land shall be
required to reserve and segregate at least twenty (20) per cent of said land
to plant trees and vegetables.


Section 5. Government Assistance. - The Government shall provide
the following:

The Local Government Units (LGUs) and every “barangay” shall
institute a program in pursuance of the objectives of this Act.

The “Barangay” shall have the following functions:

(a) To draw up a list of Filipino citizens owning more
than two hundred (200) square meters of vacant land
within their barangay ;

(b) To plan, implement and monitor yearly programs in
pursuance of the objectives of this Act;

(c) To maintain and regularly update, on a quarterly
basis, the list of Filipino citizens who have complied with
the planting of trees and vegetables;

(d) To serve as a General Information and Liaison Center
and monitor compliance of the provisions of this Act ;

(e) To report to the mayor, found violating any provision
of this Act; and

(f) To file complaints or charges against any Filipino
citizen refusing to comply with the privileges under this
Act before the Department of Justice or the provincial,
city or municipal trial court.

Section 6. Municipal/ City Responsibility. - It shall be the responsibility of
the Municipal/City, through the Mayor to prominently display posters,
stickers, and other notices that will generate public awareness of this Act
and ensure that the provisions of this Act are implemented to its fullest.

Section 7. Partnership of the National and Local Government Units. -
The national government and local government units shall undertake to
ensure the implementation of this Act in their respective territorial
jurisdictions.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act, shall promulgate the implementing, rules and


regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act in
consultation and coordination with the Municipal/City Mayor and
barangays.

Section 9. Appropriation. - The necessary appropriation for the operation
of this Act shall be appropriated and approved by the local government
units concerned. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act upon its effectivity shall be charged out of the funds of the Office of the
President. Thereafter, any such sum as shall be needed for the regular
implementation of this Act shall be included in subsequent General
Appropriations Act following its enactment into law.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days

after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,

GODPFREDO V. ARQUIZA

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