REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 4109

Introduced by Pangasinan Fifth District Representative
HON. RAMON N. GUICO JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Over the years, the municipality of Binalonan in the Province of Pangasinan has developed
into a progressive and inclusive community of self-reliant individuals.

In 1986, the town was awarded by the Malacafiang Palace as “The Most Beautiful and
Cleanest Town in the Philippines”. Since then, it has garnered several citations such as “Most
Beautiful Plaza and Parks”; “Outstanding Community Development Model”; and “Urban Model
Community”. These awards were meant to signify the commitment of the municipality to maintain
its policy and mission to keep the place as clean and environment-friendly.

True to this commitment, the town center features a four-and-a-half-hectare oasis of green.
In the midst of this greenery is a forest of century-old acacia trees. More than an attraction, these
majestic canopies are a living witness of the town’s glorious past. Indeed, the acacia trees are a
symbol of the indomitable spirit and resolute determination of the people of Binalonan to build a
stronger and brighter future.

‘There is no denying that the acacia trees are a cultural and natural heritage that continues to
bridge the past, the present, and the future. Enshrined in the 1987 Constitution is the duty of the
State to protect the country’s national patrimony, including its cultural heritage, its properties and
history, and the ethnicities of local community. As such, this Act shall provide for the protection,
conservation, and development of these majestic acacia trees.

For the above considerations, the immediate passage ofthis bill is earnestly ‘a
fp| Ram ae

ico Jr.



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4105

Introduced by Pangasinan Fifth District Representative
HON. RAMON N. GUICO JR.

AN ACT
DECLARING THE ACACIA TREES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BINALONAN,
PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN, AS LOCAL HERITAGE TREES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION. 1. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect, preserve, and conserve the country’s national patrimony, including its natural resources,
its cultural heritage, its properties and history, and ethnicities of local communities. Towards this
end, the State shall institute measures to protect and conserve heritage trees in the Municipality
of Binalonan, Province of Pangasinan.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Acacia Treees as Local Heritage Trees.- The Acacia trees
located in the municipality of Binalonan, Province of Pangasinan, are hereby declared as local
heritage trees based on the criteria established by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) and shall be conferred special status by the DENR, the municipal
government of Binalonan, and other concerned agencies, subject to rules and regulations
governing the protection, preservation, and conservation of heritage trees.

Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DENR shall, in coordination with
the local government unit (LGU) of the Municipality of Binalonan, and the Province of
Pangasinan, identify the location, number, and estimated age of acacia trees that are covered
under this Act.

SEC. 3. Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management Plan.- The
management, protection, preservation, and conservs of the local heritage trees in the
Municipality of Binalonan shall be done in an inclusive and sustainable manner. Pursuant
thereto, the DENR and the Municipal Government of Binalonan, Province of Pangasinan shall
prepare the protection, preservation, and conservation plan of the Acacia heritage trees within
one (1) after the effectivity of this Act. The plan shall likewise include the mandate of the
agencies involved, conservation and protection goals, strategies and measures to be undertaken
within specified time periods.



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SEC. 4, Appropriations.— ‘The Secretary of the DENR and the Municipal Government
of Binalonan shall immediately include in the Department's programs the implementation of this
‘Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual general appropriations.

The LGUs concerned, in consultation with the DENR, may set aside from any available
local revenue an amount deemed appropriate for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations.— Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DENR shall, in consultation with the local government of the
Municipality of Binalonan and the provincial government of Pangasinan, issue the necessary
rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause.— All other laws, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations and
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause— If any part or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 8. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifleen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,