Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES /;
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no.982

Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill which seeks to require parents to plant two (2) trees for every
child born to them has already been approved by the House of Representatives
on its 3"! and final reading in the 18" Congress.

It has for its purpose the inclusion of every Filipino family in the
country’s national reforestation and greening programs. Consistent with the
State’s mandate to harness every available resource to safeguard the declining
ecological balance, it is but indispensable to plant more trees as effective
counter-measure against climate change. We have experienced the disastrous
effects of climate change as reflected in unpredictable weather conditions,
typhoons, floods, rising sea water levels and other calamities. We have seen the
vanishing forest covers in our mountains. We have experienced, time and
again, the loss of lives attributed to mankind’s own doing. Lives and properties
have been lost and will continue to rise if we will not do something to prevent,
if not mitigate the effects of climate change. It is high time to introduce
additional legislative measures to protect mother nature. Thus, we need to
urgently address this and avert further harm.

A simple contribution to mitigate the effects of climate change is hereby
proposed: tree planting for every child born to couples. With the foregoing
considerations, the approval of the bill is earnestly requested.

We AGABAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL no,_082

Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

AN ACT
REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES FOR EVERY CHILD
BORN TO THEM

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Family
Tree Planting Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the
State to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
Towards this end, the State shall promote and pursue reforestation
programs and encourage tree planting as part of the family’s
responsibility and legacy to protect the environment and conserve our
natural resources for the future generation.

SEC. 3. Mandatory Tree Planting. — all parents residing in the
Philippines, whether legally married or not, shall be required to plant
two (2) trees for every child born to them. These trees shall be planted
within the premises of their own home or in an area to be designated by
the Barangay Council where they reside, with the approval of the
Department of Environment and Nature Resources (DENR). The planted
species should be appropriate to the location, climate and topography of
the area, with preference for the planting of indigenous species and high
value crops.

SEC. 4. Provision of Seedlings. — ‘The Community Environment
and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of
Agriculture (DA), in partnership with local government units (LGUs)


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throughout the Philippines, shall maintain a seedling bank and will serve
as ready source of seedlings to be provided to parent/s planting the tree
under this Act.

SEC. 5. Tree Planting as a Requirement for Birth Certificate
Release. - To ensure compliance with this Act, the City or Municipal
Local Civil Registry where the birth of the child shall be registered, must
only release the Certificate of Live Birth of the child upon the
presentation of the parents sworn statement of compliance. The affidavit
must be sworn to before the Punong Barangay if the trees were planted
within the premises of their barangay or before the DENR officer
concerned if the trees were planted in a government-designated area
outside the barangay where the family resides. Planting of the trees must
be done within thirty (30) days after the child’s birth.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The DENR Secretary shall include in
the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR shall,
in consultation with the DA, the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA)
and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
promulgate the implementing rules and regulation within sixty (60) days
from the approval of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - Should any portion or provision of
this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the
other portions or provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
letters of implementation, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified,
superseded or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 15
general circulation.

Approved