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1Global Forest Watch. (2021). "Philippines."
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE and ERIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is known for its rich biodiversity of tropical agroforestry which have 
yet to be completely discovered. Most of which have been left untouched for 
generations, protected by its local stewards and by organizations that emerged with 
the common goal of further preserving the country’s most treasured forests.  
Although there are individuals and organizations who are committed to preserving 
the country’s rich biodiversity, there are still persisting dangers that our forests 
faced. According to the Global Forestry Watch, Philippines lost 1.34Mha of tree 
cover from 2001 to 2021. Ninety-two percent (92%) of this tree cover loss occurred in 
areas where the dominant drivers of loss is deforestation. Amongst the risks brought 
by deforestation is the depletion of heritage trees.1 
A very significant case is the 300-year-old Philippine Rosewood tree or Toog tree in 
the San Francisco, Agusan del Sur which is on the verge of being cut down had it not 
for the objection of the Third-Party Scientific Assessment (TPSA) by the Society of 
Filipino Foresters, Inc. (SFFI), Department of Natural and Environmental Resources 
(DENR) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Francisco which found very 
strong indicators that the tree is indeed healthy and that the Heritage Tree should be 
preserved and responsibly maintained.  
Like this 300-year-old Philippine Rosewood tree, thousands of heritage trees are in 
imminent danger of being cut down. The lack of protection of heritage trees puts at 
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risk the country’s biodiversity, ecological preservation, and cultural heritage, among 
other things.  
 
Through this legislation, safeguards on the protection of the heritage tress are finally 
instilled and the pursuit towards environmental protection and preservation and 
cultural heritage policies are being put forward.  
 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.  
 
 
PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
 
 
 
ERIC G. YAP


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE and ERIC G. YAP 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HERITAGE TREES 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I  
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Heritage Tree Act 
of 2022”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the importance of 
Heritage Trees consistent with Article II, Section 16 of the Philippine Constitution of 
1987 that provides that “The State recognizes the importance of protecting and 
advancing the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with 
the rhythm and harmony of nature” in view of the following: 
a. Community and social value. Heritage trees increase the quality of life by
bringing closer natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban settings
allowing quality outdoor activities with family, friends, and communities.
b. Ecological and environmental value. Heritage trees, majestic as they are,
significantly contribute to their immediate environment by providing
oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water,
preserving soil, and supporting wildlife thereby promoting climate change
mitigation.
c.
Cultural and spiritual value. Heritage trees are often where community
ideas, customs, belief, and social behavior are deeply rooted.
d. Ecotourism and economic value. Heritage trees have the intrinsic value of
attracting local tourism and creating complementing enterprises thereby
adding economic value to nourishing and protecting them especially to
government instrumentalities administering them.
SEC. 3. Objectives – This Act shall govern: 
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a. The identification, assessment, and declaration of Heritage Trees using
scientific standards and criteria by Registered Professional Foresters
consistent with Republic Act No. 10690 otherwise known as “The Forestry
Profession Act;
b. Declaration of Heritage Trees by the department of Environment and
Natural Resources based on the identification and assessment conducted;
c.
The development, management, and protection of Heritage Trees and
vicinities; and
d. The roles and responsibilities of the concerned LGUs, accredited
integrated professional organizations, non-government organizations, the
community concerned and the national government.
SECTION  4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a. Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) – refers to the
organization integrating all associations, federations, and groups of
licensed foresters that have been accredited by the Profession Regulatory
Board for Foresters to be created hereunder, subject to the approval of the
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) created under Republic Act
No. 8981, known as the “PRC Modernization Act of 2000”, as amended.
b. Candidate tree – refers to a Tree that satisfies the basic appearance of a
Heritage Tree officially nominated by a person or group to a Local
Government Unit or the – DENR.
c.
Climate Change Mitigation – refers to human intervention to reduce
anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of all
greenhouse gases including ozone depleting by substances and their
substitutes.
d. Critical vicinity – refers to the minimum area that Heritage Trees require
to maintain existence and optimum functionality.
e. Ecosystem – refers to a community of living organisms interacting with
each other and with its environment.
f.
Ecotourism – refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural
and/or cultural heritage area where community participation, protection
and management of natural resources, culture, and indigenous knowledge
and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic
benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host community
and satisfaction of visitors.
g. Forest – refers to an ecosystem or an assemblage of ecosystems dominated
by trees and other natural vegetation; a community of plants and animals
interacting with one another and its natural environment.
h. Forest land – refers to the land of the public domain classified as needed
for forest purposes, including both production and protection. They shall
include all forest reserves of the public domain.
i.
Forestry – refers to the art science, practice, and business of sustainable
management of forest and forestland resources for the production of
goods and services and the enhancement of benefits and values of such
resources to provide the needs of present and future generations.


 
 
 
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j. Heritage Tree – refers to any healthy native or endemic, exotic, rare, 
threatened and endangered tree with a minimum girth of five (5) meter 
(measure at one-half meter above the ground) with consideration to the 
scientific, rarity, historical, cultural, social, educational, and aesthetic 
significance of the tree. 
k. Registered Professional Forester – refers to a natural person who holds a 
valid certificate of registration and a valid professional identification card 
issued by the Commission (PRC) pursuant to this Act. 
l. Sustainable Forest Management – refers to the process of the watershed-
based management of forest land and resources to achieve one or more 
clearly specified objectives of management with regard to production of 
continuous flow of desired forest products and ecosystem services 
without undue reduction of its inherent values, biodiversity and future 
productivity and without undesirable effects on the physical social 
environment. 
 
 
SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. – The provisions and principles of this Act shall 
apply to all Heritage Trees found within alienable and disposable (A&D) and forest 
lands, to all protected areas established under the National Integrated Protected 
Areas System (NIPAS) under Republic Act No. 7586, as amended that are not yet 
legislated as national park: Provided, that the rights shall be respected, as provided 
for in the Republic Act No. 8371 or the “Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997”, 
and Provided further, that all forest lands under the management or administration 
of local government units and other government agencies or instrumentalities shall 
be managed in accordance with their duly legislated charters and the principles and 
provisions of this Act. 
 
 
ARTICLE II 
IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT, AND DECLARATION OF HERITAGE 
TREES 
 
 
SEC. 6. Nomination of Candidate Heritage Trees. – All Filipino citizens many 
nominate a candidate Heritage Tree to the concerned local government units for 
proper documentation with the following information: local name, location, 
description, rarity, diameter-at-breast height (DBH), photo documentation, and Tree 
“administrator” among others. Said LGU will then request the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources or Forest Management Bureau (FMB) for 
assessment. 
 
 
SEC. 7. Conduct of Initial Tree Assessment. – The DENR or FMB shall form a 
team to conduct assessment candidate Heritage Trees in collaboration with the 
concerned LGU/s, government instrumentality, and other interest groups. The 
Initial Tree Assessment shall be based on the standard criteria such as location, 
rarity, diameter-at-breast-height, biophysical attributes, pathology, and historical 
accounts of candidate Trees.  
 


 
 
 
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SEC. 8. Third-Party Scientific Assessment (TPSA). – The DENR or FMB, after 
its Initial Tree Assessment, shall collaborate with the concerned Accredited 
Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) on the conduct TPSA. The AIPO shall 
then form a composite Team to handle the TPSA that shall evaluate the overall 
feasibility and viability of the candidate Tree using the acceptable standard agreed 
with the DENR or FMB. The corresponding TPSA report shall be finalized and 
endorsed by the AIPO to the DENR or FMB after having validated the findings and 
observations with the concerned LGU, the community and/or other interest groups. 
 
 
SEC. 9. Declaration of Heritage Trees. – Consistent with the initial assessment 
and the TPSA Reports, the DENR or FMB shall officially declare the candidate tree 
as a Heritage Tree through a certificate duly signed by the DENR Secretary or his 
duly designated representative. 
 
 
SEC. 10. Marking and Protection of Heritage Trees. – Consistent with the 
declaration of the DENR and FMB of the Heritage Tree, the concerned City or 
Municipal Government Unit shall endeavor the official marking of the Heritage Tree 
following the prescribed format including the appropriate logos and information. 
Lighting arresters shall also be installed appropriately and sufficiently to protect the 
Heritage Tree. 
 
 
ARTICLE III 
ADMINISTRATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND MANAGEMENT OF HERITAGE 
TREES AND CRITICAL VICINITIES 
 
 
SEC. 11. Heritage Trees Register. – Once declared, Heritage Trees will be 
entered into the Heritage Trees Register which is a detailed compilation of Heritage 
Trees, to raise environmental awareness and recognizing efforts. Said Register shall 
be developed and maintained by the FMB. 
 
 
SEC. 12. Administration of Heritage Trees and Host Areas. – The LGUs and 
other government instrumentalities whose areas of jurisdiction encompass Heritage 
Trees shall have the inherent responsibility of protecting them including their critical 
vicinities. 
 
 
Private groups commissioned by any government agency to operate within 
areas with declared Heritage Trees shall assume the responsibility of protecting 
them. Minimum responsibility shall include the sanitation, protection, and ensuring 
that said Trees are free from unauthorized use or occupation of the “critical 
vicinity”. 
 
 
The DENR or FMB shall be the primary government agency responsible for 
the proper administration, development, and management of Heritage Trees as 
defined in this Act. It shall have the authority to enter into management agreements 
or issue tenure instruments on behalf of the Government, promulgate rules and 
regulations for the effective enforcement of this Act, and administratively adjudicate 


 
 
 
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offenses provided for in this Act in order to facilitate the speedy resolution of 
forestry-related cases. 
 
 
SEC. 13. Adoption of Heritage Trees. – Any individual or organization with 
sufficient capability of nurturing and protecting Heritage Trees may do so through 
application with the FMB. The adopting individual or organization shall clearly 
indicate, in details, the acts and measures they intend to employ in the “fostering” 
process that will be annexed in a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to be entered 
by parties namely the Foster Individual/Organization, the DENR-FMB, and the 
LGU concerned. Any commerce relating to the adopted Heritage Tree may be 
allowed provided that the sufficient government duties are fulfilled by the fostering 
individual or organization. 
 
 
SEC. 14. Qualified Foster Individuals or Organizations. – Foster individual/ 
or Foster Organization/s must possess the minimum technical knowledge as 
determined only by a Registered Professional Forester consistent with Republic Act 
No. 10690 or the Forestry Profession Act through a certificate duly acknowledged by 
the FMB. 
 
 
SEC. 15. Development and Management through Ecotourism. – Any Heritage 
Tree developed and managed via an ecotourism venture by a Foster Individual 
and/or Organization shall have the responsibility of contributing at least 5% of the 
gross income to the Heritage Tree Trust Fund as provided under Section 17. 
 
 
SEC. 16. Expropriation. – As may be recommended during the TPSA, and 
endorsed by the DENR or FMB, an area covering a Heritage Tree may be 
expropriation shall be supported by an LGU ordinance declaring the area as 
Heritage Tree Site and prescribing productive developments promoting ecological 
awareness and tourism. 
 
 
SEC. 17. Disposition. – Heritage trees, with the reputation and recognition 
they have, deserve to be disposed in accordance to the guidelines to be prepared by 
the FMB and issued by the DENR. As much as possible, a portion of the Heritage 
Tree shall be carved into a memoire approved by the LGU or Forester 
individual/organization and displayed in a museum for proper remembrance. 
 
 
ARTICLE IV 
SUPPORT MECHANISMS 
 
 
SEC. 18. Heritage Tree Trust Fund (HTTF). – The National Government shall 
allocate the initial amount of Fifty million pesos (PhP50,000,000) to support the 
assessment, declaration, protections, and development of Heritage Trees. Said Fund 
may be augmented through grants, donations, aids, endowments, payment for 
ecosystem services, and any other contributions received from any individual or 
organization on a voluntary basis. 
 


 
 
 
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SEC. 19. HTTF Administration. – The Fund shall be administered by a 
government financial institution as a trust account managed with utmost prudence 
thereby ensuring the perpetuity of the Fund. The FMB shall include in the 
implementing rules and regulations of this Act the guidelines for the management, 
development, and operations of the HTTF, in collaboration with the concerned 
professional organization/AIPO, and concerned stakeholders. No amount of the 
HTTF shall be disbursed to cover and necessary expenses of the FMB and other 
concerned agencies. 
 
 
SEC. 20. Research, Education, Training, and Extension. – Any Heritage Tree 
may be a subject of any research activity provided that activities related to it will not 
compromise its vitality and functionality. Provided, that copies of any research 
proceedings are furnished to the FMB, concerned LGU, and the Forestry 
Development Center (FDC) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños for their 
information and reference. 
 
 
SEC. 21. Protection from Future Developments. – Heritage Trees provide 
Filipinos with a sense of rootedness and sustainability amidst rapid redevelopment 
hence are important landmarks --- historically, culturally, and ecologically, therefore 
should be protected from any future developments detrimental to its existence, 
vitality, and functionality. No road construction nor public utility project shall be 
allowed when it compromises the existence of any Heritage Tree. 
 
 
ARTICLE V 
ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNANCE 
 
 
SEC. 22. Local Government Units. – Consistent with Section 12 of this Act, 
concerned LGUs shall develop the required enabling mechanisms to enhance the 
historical, ecological, and/or cultural value of Heritage Trees. This may likewise be 
linked to their environmental, cultural, and tourism plan anchored on their 
Comprehensive Land-Use Plans and Comprehensive Development Plans. 
 
 
SEC. 23. Other Government Instrumentalities. – Similar to LGUs, other 
government instrumentalities, such as government owned and controlled 
corporation, after having vested with the authority and responsibility, shall ensure 
that mechanisms that will enhance the historical, ecological, and/or cultural value of 
Heritage Trees are developed. Under Section 2(10) of the Introductory Provisions of 
the Administrative Code of 1987, a government “instrumentality” shall refer to any 
agency of the National Government, not integrated within the department 
framework, vested with special functions or jurisdiction by law; endowed with 
some, if not all corporate powers, administering special funds, and enjoying 
operational autonomy, usually through a charter. 
 
 
SEC. 24. Community Participation in Heritage Tree and Site Management. – 
In the formulation of development plans pertaining to the management of Heritage 
Trees and vicinities, the concerned LGU or government instrumentality shall ensure 


 
 
 
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that the immediate community and interest groups are encouraged to participate in 
the planning process.  
 
 
ARTICLE VI  
OFFENSES AND PENALTIES 
 
 
SEC. 25. Unlawful Occupation of Heritage Tree Sites. – Except for LGU-
approved development that is part of the overall Comprehensive Development Plan, 
any person who, without the authority from the concerned LGU or authorized 
government instrumentality, occupies any parcel of the Heritage Tree site, shall face 
forced eviction from the area being occupied, and imprisonment of six (6) years and 
one (1) day to twelve (12) years. 
 
 
SEC. 26. Destruction of Heritage Trees. – Any person who shall destroy or 
cause destruction of a Heritage Tree, aids, or abets another person to do so, shall be 
punished with a fine of not less than Ten million pesos (PhP10,000,000.00) and 
imprisonment of at least twelve (12) years. 
 
 
SEC. 27. Vandalizing Heritage Trees. – Because the destruction of Heritage 
Trees poses a threat to society, any person who shall vandalize them shall be 
ordered to pay for the treatment and related expenses, fined with One hundred 
thousand pesos (PhP100,000.00), and/or penalized with imprisonment of not less 
than six (6) months. 
 
 
SEC. 28. Prohibition on the Issuance of Land Titles or Tax Declarations on 
Heritage Tree Sites. – All land titles and tax declaration issued over Heritage Trees 
sites shall be deemed void ab initio. Any person who shall issue land titles and tax 
declarations over any Heritage Tree site or a parcel thereof shall be punished with 
imprisonment of (12) years and fine of not less than One million pesos (P 1,000,000). 
The accessory penalty of disqualification shall    be imposed for a period of twelve 
(12) years and one (1) day. 
 
 
SEC. 29. Non-Payment nor Non-Remittance of Fees and Charges. – Any 
person who fails to pay the amount due and payable as fees or charges pertaining to 
the use of any portion of a Heritage Tree site to the government or remit the same to 
the proper authorities within the prescribed period shall be fined with Five hundred 
thousand pesos (PhP500,000), and/or penalized with imprisonment of at least six (6) 
years. 
 
 
SEC. 30. Non-Establishment of Heritage Tree Sites. – Every local government 
unit shall establish and maintain Heritage Tree Sites pursuant to their 
Comprehensive Land Use and Development plans. Funds for the establishment and 
maintenance of the same shall form part of the LGUs annual budget. Any local 
government unit or government unit or government instrumentality who fails to 
establish and protect Heritage Trees as provided in the preceding paragraphs shall 
be penalized with a fine of not less than Ten million pesos (PhP10,000,000.00). 
 


 
 
 
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ARTICLE VII 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
 
 
SEC. 31. Administrative Authority of the concerned LGUs to Impose Fines – 
In all cases of violations of this Act and related laws, rules, and regulations where 
fine is the principal penalty, the Local Chief Executive concerned, after having been 
authorized by the concerned Legislative Body, is hereby authorized to impose 
administratively the penalty consisting of the amount and the schedules of the fine 
which shall be officially published in a national newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
SEC. 32. Fines Escalation Clause. – The fines herein prescribed shall be 
increased by at least ten percent (10%) every five (5) years to compensate for 
inflation and to maintain the deterrent function of such fines. 
 
 
SEC. 33. Suits and Strategic Legal Action Against Public Participation and 
the Enforcement of this Act. – Where a suit is brought against any official or 
employee of the Government who filed an action as provided in this Act, or against 
any official or employee of the Government that implements this Act, it shall be the 
duty of the investigating prosecutor or the court, as the case may be, to immediately 
make a determination not exceeding thirty (30) days whether said legal action has 
been filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure or the court, as the case may be, shall 
dismiss the complaint. In addition, the court shall award the attorney’s fees and 
double the amount of damages. This provision shall also apply and benefit public 
officer who are sued for acts committed in their official capacity, there being no 
grave abuse of authority, and done in the course of enforcing this Act. 
 
 
The Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases shall govern the procedure 
in civil, criminal, and civil actions involving the enforcement or violations of this 
Code including actions treated as a SLAPP as provided in this section. 
 
 
SEC. 34. Citizen’s Suit. – For the purposes of enforcing the provisions of this 
Act or its implementing rules and regulations, any Filipino citizen may file an 
appropriate civil, criminal or administrative action in the proper court/body against: 
(a) Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act or its 
implementing rules and regulations;  (b) The LGU or other government 
instrumentality mandated to implement and enforce the provisions of this Act with 
respect to orders, rules and regulations issued inconsistent with this Act; and (c)Any 
public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an act specifically 
enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; or abuses 
his authority in the performance of his duty; or, in any manner improperly performs 
his duties under this Act or its implementing rules and regulations: Provided, 
however, That, no suit can be filed until after a thirty (30)-day notice has been given 
to the public officer and the alleged violator concerned and no appropriate action 
has been taken thereon. The court shall exempt such action from the payment of 
filing fees, upon prima facie showing of the non-enforcement or violations 
complained of and exempt the plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the 
issuance of preliminary injunction. 


 
 
 
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In the event that the citizen should prevail, the court shall award reasonable 
attorney’s fees, moral damages and litigation costs as appropriate. 
 
 
SEC. 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DENR or FMB, in 
consultation with other the League of Municipal and Provincial Governments, 
concerned government instrumentalities, concerned AIPO, charged with the 
administration and enforcement of this Act shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations within one (1) year from effectivity of this Act. 
 
 
SEC. 36. Appropriations. – The mount necessary to fully implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
For local government units, the funding requirements shall be taken from their 
internal revenue allotment (IRA) and other sources of income derived from the 
shares from the different modes of agreement. 
 
 
SEC. 37. Separability Clause. – The provisions of this Act are hereby declared 
to be separable, and in the event one or more of such provisions are held 
unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
 
 
SEC. 38. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
 
SEC. 39. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date 
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,