Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 362 ?

Introduced by HON. GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, HON. JUAN
MIGUEL M. ARROYO, HON. DIOSDADO M. ARROYO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is a known universal fact that trees are invaluable to the environment
and to the human population.

First, trees act as “carbon sinks” alleviating the greenhouse effect. Studies
show that a one tree can absorb carbon dioxide at the rate of 13 pounds per year.
The Worldwatch Institute estimate that our planet needs at least 321 million acres
planted with trees to restore and maintain the productivity of soil and water
resources, meet industrial and fuel-wood needs in the third world, and annually
remove from the atmosphere roughly 780 million tons of carbon as the trees
grow that represents the removal of about 25 percent of the 2.9 billion tons of
carbon currently going into the earth's atmosphere.

Experts quantify that for every ton of new wood that grows, about 1.5 tons
of carbon dioxide are removed from the air and 1.07 tons of life-giving oxygen
are produced. Studies reveal that in a single tree’s 50-year life span, it will
generate at least $30,000 in oxygen, recycle $35,000 worth of water, and clean up
$60,000 worth of air pollution or $125,000 total per tree without including any
other values, This will translate to at least a value of P5.375M per tree.

Second, trees prevent or reduce soil erosion and water pollution. Trees
reduce urban runoff and erosion by storing water and breaking the force of rain
as it falls. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that 100
mature trees can reduce runoff caused by rainfall by up to 100,000 gallons.

Third, trees recharge water and sustain streamflow.

Fourth, trees and shrubs significantly decrease noise pollution along busy
thoroughfares and intersections.

Fifth, according to experts, depending on location, species, size, and
condition, shade from trees can reduce utility bills for air conditioning in
residential and commercial buildings by 15-50 percent. Trees, through their
shade and transpiration, provide natural "low-tech" cooling that means less need
to build additional dams, power plants, and nuclear generators or palnts.


Sixth, studies show that trees along rivers, streams, and lakes reduce
water temperatures by their shade, prevent or reduce bank erosion and silt, and
provide hiding places for improving fisheries habitat.

These do not even take into account the direct economic benefits derived
from trees in the form of wood products, fruits and other wood by-products.

V4
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO JUAN MIGUEL M. ARROYO, HON.

DIOSDADO M. ARROYO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__8627

Introduced by HON. GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, HON. JUAN
MIGUEL M. ARROYO, HON. DIOSDADO M. ARROYO

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE PLANTING OF TREES FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION OF
RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Green
Act of 2010.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State shall protect and advance the right
of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature,

SEC. 4. Tree Planting Requirement for Permits. For projects covered under
the Presidential Decree No. 1586 entitled “Establishing an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) System” a Tree Planting Plan (TPP) shall be required as
a condition in the Environmental Compliance Certificate.

For projects not covered by the EIS system, the proponent shall include a
tree planting plan (IPP) together with the requirements for the issuance of
building permit by the concerned Local Government Unit.

SEC. 5. Tree Planting Required for Development Projects. For development
projects having an area of at least 500 square meters a minimum of at least one
tree shall be planted; provided that, for single residential structures a minimum of
at least one (1) tree shall be required to be planted for an area of at least 250
square meters.

For housing development projects such as subdivisions and villages, one
(1) tree shall be planted for every 250 square meters.

SECTION 6. Tree Planting Plan. The Tree Planting Plan (TPP) shall be a
simple plan containing the following:

1. Total area of the Project;
2. Indicative lay-out of the area/s to be planted;


3. Number of Trees to be Planted taking into account the ratio of at least
one (1) tree for every 300 square meters or one (1) tree for every 250
square meters for single residential structures; and,

4. The Species of tree to be planted.

SEC. 7. Preference for Endemic or Endangered Species. Taking into account the
location, climate and topography of the area, preference shall be given to
endemic or endangered species of trees to be planted.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from
the enactment of this Act, the DENR through the Forest Management Bureau and
the Environmental Management Bureau shall formulate the Implementing Rules
and Regulations.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
issuances, rules and regulations, or part thereof which are contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. Should any portion or provisions of this Act
that be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other
provisions hereof shall continue to be in force as if the provisions so annulled or
voided had never been incorporated in this Act.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved.