Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 7090

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

The city of Baguio is celebrated as among the country’s premier tourist spots as it
offers sojourners an experience unalike most other destinations across the country. Known as
the “City of Pines”, Baguio has fostered an image of harmony in nature, culture, climate, and
progress through the imposing walls of Benguet pine growing throughout the city.

The distinct scent, together with the iconic silhouette of the pine tree has become
synonymous with the city itself. The tree has for so long embodied the solid bond between
the residents of Baguio and the local natural environment. This identity however, is currently
being threatened by urban expansion.

Currently, only about a quarter of the city’s entire territory is left with forest and
green cover. A recent inventory, as ordered by DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, revealed that
the City of Pines has only 2.5 million trees left, and of these, only less than 500,000 are
Benguet pine.

Apart from serving as the quintessential branding tool for the city’s tourism efforts,
ecological considerations would call for more radical responses to the city’s dwindling forest
stock. Given the city’s natural topography and its growing urban land use, many areas across
the city are susceptible to landslides induced by earthquakes or heavy rainfall. With fewer
trees to prevent or mitigate such hazards, residents are continuously under the threat of losing
priceless lives and millions of pesos worth in damages to properties. The decimation of local
forest stock further leads to water insecurity due to degradation and poor management of
watersheds, food insecurity due to soil erosion, destruction of indigenous cultures and serious
threat to local biodiversity.

Ultimately, the tree stock of Baguio, particularly the Benguet pine, is an
environmental heritage passed on through generations, which demands the strongest
protection for its cultural, economic, social, and ecological values. Consistent with both
national and local governments’ campaign for sustainable development, an imposed
moratorium on the cutting of trees in Baguio city for a period of ten (10) years, would
facilitate local progress without sacrificing the needs of future generations of Baguio
residents, Over the next decade, the said moratorium will allow the rehabilitation of the city’s


tree stock, and will display the creativity and resourcefulness of the local government and the
real estate industry in incorporating the tree stock in the design of the city and its
development plan.

The constitutionally protected right to a healthful and balanced ecology must be
enjoyed not only by the preceding generations but by future generations as well. Millions of
Filipinos all over the country treasure a shared experience of Baguio that they knew of, the
image of the city they grew up with, and the local environment that made their every summer
memorable and special. For this reason preserving the country’s “City of Pines” is a concer
of national significance

In view of the forgoing, the immediate consideration and approval of this measure is
earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7090

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A 10-YEAR MORATORIUM ON TREE CUTTING IN THE CITY
OF BAGUIO AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and
advance the right of the Filipino people to a balance and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.

Towards this end, the State shall continue to promote, as a policy, the preservation
and conservation of trees as part of a healthy environment and as an indispensable element of
a sound ecological community.

SEC. 2. Moratorium on Tree Cutting. — The cutting of trees in Baguio City, whether
in private or public land, is hereby declared prohibited for a period of ten (10) years. No tree
shall be cut, remove or excavated except for dead trees and infested trees that are beyond
reviving or may infect other live trees. Live trees that pose danger to life and property and
tree branches that encroach on power and utility lines, as determined by appropriate
government agencies, may be cut or trimmed in accordance with existing local ordinances,
executive issuances and pertinent laws, rules and regulation.

SEC. 3. Construction of New Structures. — Real estate developers, construction firms,
government institutions and private property owners must ensure strict compliance to the
preceding section of this Act. The construction of residential and commercial structures and
buildings, and government projects shall take into consideration the inclusion and
n of existing trees in the drafting and implementation of its structural blue print

No construction permit shall be issued without the necessary compliance to the
provisions of this Act,


SEC. 4, Survey and Inventory on Location of Trees. ~ The City Environment and
Natural Resources Office (CENRO), in coordination with the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR), shall conduct a survey and inventory on all existing trees in
Baguio City with its description and location.

SEC. 5. Penalties. - Any person or entity found guilty of violating the provisions of
this Act or any rules and regulations issued pursuant hereto shall, upon conviction, be
punished by imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years, or a
fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (F100,000.00) but not more than Three
hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) for every tree, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Provided that, if the offender is a corporation or a juridical entity, the official who ordered, or
allowed the commission of the offense shall be punished with the same penalty.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR shall issue, within a
period of ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations
for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any portion or provision of this Act
shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.