SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S:No. 834 
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Introduced by Sen. Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
In the 1993 case of Oposa v, Factoranl 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 IS and 16, Aliicle 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 envirolunent and to fnture 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 Calillot be made to contribnte 
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 school2 and almost 500,0003 graduating from college each year, this 
initiative, if properly implemcnted, will ensure that at least 175 Million new trees would be 
planted each year. In the course of one generation,4 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 asswne the 
mantle ofleadership in the future. 
This bill also aims to complement Executive Order No, 26, Series of 2011, issued by his 
Excellency, President Benigno S, Aquino Ill, which aims to mobilize students and government 
employees to plant 1.5 Billion trees over a period of six (6) years, from 2011 to 2016. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bm is earnest:y requested. 
~~~ 
I Oposa v. Factoran, Q,R. No. 101083 promulgated on 30 July 1993 (En Bane). 
. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
2 Basic Education hlfollnation System w Data Bulletin. Previous School Year PlOlUotees and Graduates 1Il Govemment ElementalY and Secondary 
Schools by Y car! Grade Level and by Sex, School Year 2010-20 II, lnfonnation retrieved from Research & Statistics Division Office of Planning 
Service, Depaltment of Education all 
20 MaICh2012 
, 2009 Data. Infonnatioll retrieved from COllUllissiol1 on Higher Education on 20 March 20 12. 
4 Computed at thirty (30) years. 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
. First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 834 
Introduced by Sen. Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
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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: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Graduation Legacy for the 
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Environment Act of2013". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
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and pursue environmental protection and sustainable development for poverty reduction, food 
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security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. 
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SEC. 3. Tree-planting as a Mandatory Requisite for Graduation.- Pursuant to the policy 
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of the state to promote and pursue environmental protection and sustainable development, all 
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graduating grade-school or primary education (Grade 6 or 7) students, high school or secondary 
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education (4th YearBigh School) students, as well as all college or university students shall be 
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required to plant at least ten (10) trees as a mandatory prerequisite for their graduation. Said trees 
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shall be their living legacy to the environment and to future generations of Filipinos. 
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SEC. 4. Location.- The trees to be planted under this Act shall be located in any of the 
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following: 
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4.1 Forestlands 
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4.2 Mangrove and protected areas 
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4.3 Ancestral domains 
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4.4 Civil and military reservations 
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4.5 Urban areas under the greening plan ofthe LGUs 
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4.6 Inactive and abandoned mine sites; and 
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4.7 Other suitable lands 
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SECTION 5. Partner AgenciesIStakeholders.- The Department of Education (DepEd) 
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and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall implement the provisions of this act in 
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partnership with the following agencies/stakeholders, whose responsibilities shall include but not 
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limited to the following: 
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5.1 Department of Agricultnre, Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Environment 
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and Natnral Resources 
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5.1.1 Nurser), establis~ent and seedling production 
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5.1.2 Site identification and site preparation 
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5.1.3 Social mobilization 
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5.1.4 Tree planting 
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5.1.5 Monitoring and evaluation 
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5.1.6 Technical support and extension services 
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5.1.7 Provision of certified seeds of agronomic crops 
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5.1.8 Provision of access roads and trails to planting site 
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5.1.9 Provision of post harvest and processing facilities 
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5.1.10 Technical assistance in product development and marketing 
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5.2 Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 
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5.2.1 Allocation of funds for all activities of the N GP 
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5.3 Department ofInterior and Local Government (DILG) 
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5.3.1 Provision of transportation, security and fire protection amenities 
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5.3.2 Information, Education and Communication 
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5.4 Local Government Units (LGUs) 
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5.4.1 Establishment of nurseries and production of planting materials 
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5.4.2 Development of greening plan for urban and suburban areas 
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5.4.3 Lead the establishment of communal tree farms for firewood and other domestic 
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uses 
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5.4.4 Construction of access roads and trails to the planting sites 
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5.4.5 Provision ofmedicahupport 
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5.4.6 Technical assistance and extension of services 
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5.5 Department of Health (DOH) 
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5.5.1 Provision of transportation and medical support 
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5.6 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 
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5.6.1 Provision of transportation in the hauling of seedlings and volunteer planters 
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5.6.2 Assistance in the construction of access roads and trails to the planting sites 
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5.7 Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) 
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5.7.1 Provision of transport for participants 
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5.7.2 Provision of communication facilities 
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5.8 Department of National Defense (DND) 
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5.8.1 Nursery establishment and seedling production 
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5.8.2 Site preparation 
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5.8.3 Provision ofiranspOliation suppoti 
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5.8.4 Provision of security 
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5.9 Depaliment of Science and Technology (DOST) 
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5.9.1 Development and transfer of appropriate technologies 
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5.9.2 Information, Education and Communication 
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5.10 Department of Justice (DOJ) 
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5.10.1 Nursery establishment and production of planting materials 
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5.10.2 Provision oftransportation 
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5.11 National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) 
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5.11.1 Mobilization of participation of indigenous peoples 
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5.11.2 Identification of sites for NOP inside ancestral domains 
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5.11.3 Supervision forest protection activities inside ancestral domains 
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.
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5.12 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 
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5.12.1 Technical assistance in seedling development 
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5.13 Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) 
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5.13.1 Provision of funds for seedling production and other related activities 
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SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The DepEd and the CHED, in 
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consultation with the partiCipating agencies/institutions, shall promulgate and issue the 
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Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days ii-om the effectivity 
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hereof. 
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SEC. 7. Funding Mechanisms.- Funds needed for the implementation of this Act for the 
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current year shall be provided by the DBM and funding for the succeeding years shall be 
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incorporated in the regular appropriation of participating agencies. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause.- Any portion or provision of this Act that maybe declared 
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unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other provisions hereof, as long as such 
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remaining portions can still subsist and can be given effect in their entirety. 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause.- All rules and regulations and other issuances or parts 
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thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect within sixty (60) days upon its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation of the Official Gazette. 
Approved, 
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