FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
1361 
Introduced by Senator L!>ren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to require all residential subdivisions to set aside an area 
exclusively devoted to trees and plants that have ecological and scenic value as a 
way of harmonizing infrastructure development with the ecological improvement of 
the environment. 
Under this bill, Government will help provide seedlings needed to keep the 
subdivision parks green. 
The importance of this bill is highlighted with the recent tragedy that struck 
many Filipinos during the heavy rains and floods that swept the country. This bill is 
actually a companion bill on illegal logging, banning commercial logging for the 
next twenty-five (25) years. Both bills are intended to restore ecological balance. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SEN ATE 
S.B. No. 1361 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
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GRANTING 
INCENTIVES 
TO 
SUBDIVISION 
HOMEOWNERS 
ASSOCIATIONS TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN FORESTED AREAS 
WITHIN THEIR SUBDIVISIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines In 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "The Green Parks Act of 
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2010." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article 11, Section 16 of the Constitution 
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provides that: "The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a 
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balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature." 
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Towards this end, the State hereby grants incentives for the development and 
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maintenance of forested areas within subdivision projects so that a balanced and 
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healthy environment will exist within the community. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - When used in this Act, the following terms 
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shall, unless the context otherwise indicate, have the following respective meanings: 
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(a) "Subdivision Project" refers to a tract or, parcel of land registered under Act 
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No. 4%. partitioned primarily for residential purposes into individual lots, 
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With or without improvements thereon, and offered to the public for sale, in 
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cash or installment terms. It shall include all residential, commercial, 
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industrial and recreational areas, as well as open spaces and other community 
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and public areas in the project. 
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(b) "Association" refers to the association of homeowners within the 
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subdivision, organized primarily to promote the best interest and well-being, 
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as well as safeguard the welfare, of the residents and owners of property in 
the subdivision project. 
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(c) "Green park" refers to an area, designated on the subdivision plan of forested 
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land, developed and maintained by the Association, reserved tor public use 
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as an ecological refuge. Such green park shall be devoted exclusively to the 
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planting and growing of trees ot any kind, flowering or ornamental plants 
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and shrubs, or plants of scenic, aesthetic ~nd ecological values. 
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(d) "Bureau" refers to the Bureau of Forest Development. 
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SEC. 4. Area. - The area of one green park shall be at least be five percent (5%) 
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of the total gross area of the subdivision project: 
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SEC. 5. Requirements. - To avail of the benefits granted under Section 7 of this 
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Act, the Association shall submit to the Bureau the plans for the development and 
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maintenance of the green park, which shall include: 
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(a) The subdivision plan as approved by the Director of Lands, as provided for 
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under the second paragraph of Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 957; 
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(b) An indication of the types of trees and plants planted and grown in the green 
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park; and 
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(c) A plan for the maintenance of the green park, to ensure its ecological 
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viability, as well as evidence of actual application thereof for at least one (1) 
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year. 
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SEC. 6. Issuance of Certification. - Upon the submission of all the 
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requirements mentioned in Section 5 hereof, the Bureau shall issue a certification to 
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this effect. The Bureau shall also have the. power to determine whether the 
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development and maintenance plans for the meet the standards that the Bureau 
, 
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shall promulgate, to ensure that the green park creates a balanced and healthful 
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ecology within the community. No certification shall be issued should the 
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development and maintenance plans fail to meet such standards. The ratification 
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shall be the basis, upon application by the Association with the proper agency or 
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authority, for the grant of the benefits under Section 7 of this Act. 
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SEC 7. Benefits. - Upon presentation .of the certification as provided for 
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under the second paragraph of Section 6 of this Act, the Association shall be entitled 
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to the following benefits: 
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(a) The Bureau of Plant Industry shall provide the Association with tree and 
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plant seedlings for planting in the green park for free; and 
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(b) The city or municipal government where the green park is located shall 
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provide the Association with tools and implements, for free, to be used 
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exclusively for the maintenance of the green park. 
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SEC. 8. Prohibition. - In no case shall any artificial structure or improvement 
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be constructed within the boundaries of the green park, unless such artificial 
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structures or improvements are absolutely necessary for the development and 
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maintenance of the Green park, as well as the preservation of the ecological system 
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contained therein. 
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SEC 9. Cancellation of Certification. - If at any time the Bureau determines, 
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upon application of any person, that the state and condition of the green park ceases 
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to serve its purpose, or that the standards of the Bureau are no longer met, the 
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Bureau shall cancel its certification. Such cancellation shall result to the withdrawal 
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of all benefits already granted or availed of under Section 7 of this Act and no 
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benefits may be further availed of by the Association. 
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SEC 10. Re-application. - If, within a reilsonable time as determined by the 
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Bureau from the time the certification is cancelled as provided for under Section 9 of 
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this Act, the Bureau approves a re-application by the Association for the certification 
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as provided for under Section 5 of this Act, the benefits granted under Section 7 of 
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this Act may be availed of pursuant to the terms and conditions provided for under 
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Sections 6 and Section 9 of this Act. 
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SEC 11. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
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proclamations, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act shall be modified, 
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amended or repealed accordingly. 
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SEC 12. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional, the remaining provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue 
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to have the force and effect of law. 
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SEC. 23. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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