Republic of the Philippines GATE: AN 2 0 202m
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TIME: _/2:13 29
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

: 8431
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA and DOMINGO C, RIVERA

AN ACT
MANDATING THE SUBMISSION OF A GREENING PLAN AS A
REQUIREMENT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The COVID-19 pandemic can most likely be attributed to environmental
degradation. Experts believe that the pandemic, which is now felt all over the world, is
a consequence of the disturbance of ecosystems by humans, which ended with the
transmission of a pathogen to a human population.’ As of January 7 2021, 87,231,223
persons have already been infected with COVID-19, and some 1,884,312 persons
have died from the virus.? Meanwhile, as of January 6, 2021, there are 480,737
confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with 9,347 fatalities.°

Ironically, this same pandemic has caused further destruction of nature.
Medical waste alone generated by the Philippines has increased from 12,495 metric
tons to 19,187 metric tons from April 29, 2020 to July 22, 2020.4

These environmental problems brought about by the pandemic, which we are
yet to know the duration, demands the unity among the government and the people to
boost ecological sustainability.

+ https:/hwww.crowtheriab.comicovid-19-and-the-environment-causes-and-consequences!

2 hitps:coronavirus,hu.edulmap. html

® https:/Incovtracker.doh.gov.ph/

“ https://earthjoumalism,netistories/n-the-philippines-medical-waste-piles-up-as-covid-19-cases-rise


This bill seeks to mandate the submission of a greening plan prior to the
issuance of a building permit. Under this bill, a greening plan, must include a short-
term, mid-term, and long-term plan on the conservation of the areas subject of the
tree-planting or greening program, such as the maintenance of the tree cover, the
replenishment of seedlings, protection against calamities, soil erosion, and other
environmental factors, monitoring mechanisms, and other details pertinent to the
implementation of the greening plan. This measure also lays the blueprint for the
promotion of green design and architecture for future projects.

Hence, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

HON. EDUARDO PAY Sate



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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No. 2432

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA and DOMINGO C. RIVERA

AN ACT
MANDATING THE SUBMISSION OF A GREENING PLAN AS A
REQUIREMENT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT

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 “Urban Greening Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby the policy of the State to promote urban
greening by requiring applicants of a building permit to create and execute a greening
plan in line with the constitutional directive to protect and advance the right of the
people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature.

SEC. 3. Requirement of Greening Plan. All applicants for building permits of any
development project are required to submit a greening plan, in addition to other
requirements imposed by local government units. The greening plan shall also be
required for the alteration, repair, or conversion of buildings which require a building
permit.

SEC. 4. Contents of Greening Plan. - The greening plan shall include, but not be
limited to, the following:

a. The total land area of the building project;



b. The lay-out of the land area devoted for tree-planting or greening within the land
area of the building program or project, which should be at least 20 percent of
the latter; Provided, that floor areas in a multi-storey building project may be
counted to fulfill the 20 percent requirement.

c. The species of the trees or plants to be included in the design, which shall take
into account the biodiversity of the area or locality where the building project is
situated;

d. The plan shall take into consideration the recommendations and best practices
on the use of plant species, and other relevant greening methodologies in the
area concemed from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), the local government unit where the building project is located, experts
from the academe, the scientific community, non-government organizations, the
members of the community, and other stakeholders concemed; and

e. A short-term, mid-term, and long-term plan on the conservation of the areas
subject of the tree-planting or greening program, such as the maintenance of the
tree cover, the replenishment of seedlings, protection against calamities, soil
erosion, and other environmental factors, monitoring mechanisms, and other
details pertinent to the implementation of the greening plan.

SEC. 5. Requirement of Indigenous Species. — The greening plan required under
this Act shall include indigenous species of trees, plants, or shrubs, taking into account
the recommendations of the DENR and other stakeholders mentioned in Section 4(d)
of this Act, as well as the location, climate, and topography of the area.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR, in coordination with
the Department of Interior and Local Government, the unions of local government
units, and other relevant stakeholders, shall formulate the implementing rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within 120 days after the
effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations or any
part thereof inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts hereof
which shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever
comes earlier.

Approved