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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , ai
Quezon City IS pate 07 AUG 05 YW
TIME __ By yy
‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS eS By ran Yg
First Regular Session J Z

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HOUSE BL No. 3361 NOE

Introduced by: Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
STUDENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES EACH AS A CIVIC DUTY FOR
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE
"They who plant a tree plant hope."

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special
Report on Climate Change and Land declares that “planting trees will
always result in capturing more atmospheric carbon dioxide and thus in
annual mean cooling of the globe.”

According to the Climate Change Commission, plants and trees take
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turn it into sugars through
photosynthesis. It asserts that planting additional trees could remove
more carbon from the atmosphere and store it for a long time, as well as
improve soil quality at a relatively low cost.

On this basis, this bill seeks to mandate all graduating senior high
school and college students, except those who are physically handicapped
and with special needs, to plant two (2) trees each as a prerequisite for
graduation.

In the words of the CCC, the move is anchored in promoting a
“whole-of-nation” approach in protecting and preserving the environment.
The measure will help increase the awareness of Filipinos, particularly...
the youth, on the current state of the environment and the role of trees in
mitigating climate impacts and disasters by retaining water to prevent
landslides and flashfloods, acting as carbon sinks, and protecting and
restoring natural ecosystems and biodiversity.?

1 https://climate.gov.ph/news/303
2 Ibid.


Additionally, this bill which was approved on third and final reading
during the previous Congress, seeks to bolster and sustain local greening
initiatives and mainstream the importance of planting the right species of
trees, especially in vulnerable areas across the country.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

IRIS MARIE D. MONTES:
Kababaihan Kabalikatan para sa Kapakanan
at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (4K) Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Introduced by: Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
STUDENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES EACH AS A CIVIC DUTY FOR
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Graduation
Legacy for Reforestation 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 a means of involving the youth
in public and civic affairs.

SEC. 3. Tree Planting as a Mandatory Requisite for Graduation. - As an
act of public service before they join the country’s labor force, all
graduating students in senior high school and college, except physically
handicapped and students with special needs, shall plant two (2) trees
each as a prerequisite for graduation.

SEC. 4. Tree Planting Sites. - The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) and the concerned local government units
(LGUs) shall determine the appropriate tree planting sites within the LGU
territories, in coordination with schools, colleges and universities.

SEC. 5. Preference for Indigenous Species. — The species of trees to
be planted should be appropriate to the location, climate and topography
of the area, with preference for the planting of indigenous species.

SEC. 6. Partner Agencies and Stakeholders and Their Responsibilities.
— The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher


Education(CHED) shall implement the provisions of this Act, in partnership
with the following agencies:

(a) DENR;

(b) Department ofAgriculture (DA);

(c) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);

(d) Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and

(f) National Commission on Indigenous Peoples(NCIP).

The responsibilities of these agencies shall include:

(1) Establishment of nursery and seedling preparation;

(2) Site identification and preparation;

(3) Technical support and extension services; and

(4) Monitoring and evaluation.

SEC. 7. Provision of Seedlings. - The Community Environment and
Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR and the DA, in partnership
with LGUs throughout the Philippines, shall maintain a seedling bank that
will serve as a ready source of seedlings to be used in the implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days
after the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and CHED shail, in coordination
with the DENR and DILG, and in consultation with other agencies,
promulgate and issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement
this Act.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s
appropriations of the departments and agencies concerned. Thereafter,

the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

The LGU concerned may set aside funds from any local revenue an
amount deemed appropriate for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - Should any portion or provision of this
Act be declared unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise
affected shall remain in full force and effect.


SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation,

Approved,