SIXTEENTH C,ONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
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SENATE 
S.B. No.53l 
,'13 
JUL -8 Ii 8 :30 
IUX'BIVEV BY: 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
With the recognition of the vulnerability of the Philippine archipelago and its 
local communities to potential dangerous consequences of climate change such as 
increasing frequency and/ or severity of droughts, fires, floods and storms, damage 
to ecosystems; and'biodiversity loss that affect the country's environment, culture, 
and economy, it has become the policy of the State, to enjoin the participation of 
national and local governments, businesses, nongovernment organiilltions, local 
communities and the public to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of climate 
change. 
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As witnessed in the Ondoy and Sendong tragedies in 2009 and 2011, 
respectively, occurrence of extreme weather events, a clear manifestation of climate 
change, is no longer a vague threat but a real problem that must be confronted with 
urgency. Another realization is that ma~sive deforestation and degradation of 
forests brought about by persistent logging in the Sierra Madre compounded the 
onslaught of Ondoy. Thus, environmental challenges that exacerbate the scale of 
destruction of climate-related hazards must be seriously dealt with to effectively 
address climate change. 
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This bill seeks to address one of the drivers of our vulnerability to disasters 
and climate change -- ecosystems decline. Over the last century, the country's forest 
, cover of around 30 million hectares has now dropped to 7.2 million hectares. In this 
manner, reforestation initiatives must be accelerated as a way to adapt to a changing 
climate. 
The bill recognizes role of local governments as frontline agenl?iEis in the 
formulation and implementation of climate change action, ai'\ it empowers local 
officials'to advance greening and rehabilitation ,and, protection of forestlands asa 
priority adaptation strategy from the provincial to the barangay level. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
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Senator 
" , 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE, 
S.B. No.53l 
.!Ptmlil.' 
<ej{,~" uf f~'>"T.I"¥ 
"13 
JUL -8 A8 :30 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARpA 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE GREENING AND FORESTLAND REHABILITATION AND 
PROTECTION IN THE BARANGAY LEVEL, SPURRlNG LOCAL CLIMATE 
CHANGE ACTION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title.-. This Act shall be known as th~ "Barangay Greening and 
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Forest Land Rehabilitation and Protection Act of 2013." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of. Policy. - Recognizing the vulnerability of local 
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communities to climate change impact and the role of local goverm:nents as frontline 
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agencies in the formulation and implementation of climate change action, it is 
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hereby declared the policy of the State to advance climate change adaptation 
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strategies from the national to the barangay level and promote the right of people to 
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enjoy the benefits, of a balanced and healthy ecology. 
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Further recognizing that environmental degradation aggravcltes the impact of 
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c1imatechange, it is the policy of the State. to advance greening and rehabilitation 
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and protection of forest lands as a priority adaptation strategy. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms, - For purposes of this. Act, the following shall 
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have the corresponding meanings: 
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a. "Adaptation" refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in· 
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response, to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which 
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moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities; 
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b. "Climate Change" refers to a change in climate identified by changes in the 
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mean and/ or variability of its properties that persists for an extended period, 
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typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of 
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human activity; and 
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c. "Forest lands" include the public forest, the permanent forest or forest 
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reserves, and forest reservations. 
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SEC. 4. Barangay Greening and Forest Land Rehabilitation and Protection. -
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Pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act. No. 7160 or the Local 
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Government Code, local government units (LGUs) shall share the resp!onsibility in 
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sustainable management and utilization of forest resources within their territorial 
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jurisdiction, including those assigned by law to other government agencies. 
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Subject to vested rights, the Department of Environment and Natural 
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Resources (DENR) and LGUs - provincial, city, municipal and barangay - in 
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consultation with other government agencies, local communities, non-government 
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organizations, academic and research institutions, and other sectors, shall jointly 
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undertake the planning, formulation and implementation of local greening and 
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forest land rehabilitation and protection programs. 
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Forest land rehabilitation programs shall include the conservation, 
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management and development of forest resources and biodiversity. 
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Local greening programs shall aim to build, develop and maintain forest 
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parks in provincial, city, municipal, barangay parks, roads, elementary school 
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grounds and other public open spaces where appropriate. 
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SEC. 5. Institutional Arrangements', - Each province, city and municipality 
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shall integrate the objectives of this Act in its policies, plans and programs, Each city 
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and municipality shall mobilize all concerned local agencies and communities to 
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ensure prompt and effective implementation of this Act in every barangay. The LGUs 
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shall conduct information and advocacy drives to promote local greening and forest 
34 . land rehabilitation and protection programs. 
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The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall coordinate 
the local government units to ensure prompt and effective implementation of this 
Act. 
The Climate. Change Commission, as the sole government agency tasked to 
coordina,te, monitor and evaluate government programs and action plans relating to 
climate change, shall coordinate and synchronize programs on forest land 
rehabilitation to ensure harmonization with national plans and programs and to 
facilitate the provision of resources. 
The DENR shall, in consultation with the Commission and the DILG, 
promulgate the pertinent rules and regulations as may be necessary to fully 
implement the objectives and purposes of this Act within a period not later than 
ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act. 
The DENR shall provide assistance to LGUs in the identification, selection, 
and allocation of sites for rehabilitation and local greening and in enhancing LGU 
. capability for the planting of the right species especially in critical watersheds, 
natural forests, and mangrove areas, the use of efficient reforestation technologies, 
and the necessary steps to protect the remaining natural forests and national parks. 
All concerned agencies shall undertake information and advocacy/drives. 
SEC. 6. Coordination with Forestry, Natural Resources, Agricultural and 
Fisheries Schools. - Subject to such rules and regulations as the DENR, in 
consultation with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher 
Education, may promulgate, forestry, natural resources, agricultural and fisheries 
schools, both public and private, shall participate in the national and local 
implementation and monitoring of this Act. The concerned national agencies shall 
facilitate government or other financial assistance for such participation. The DENR 
. shall provide technical assistance for capacity buildit~g of participating educational 
institutions, not only to ensure adequate, quality supply of planting materials, but 
also to transfer and propagate appropriate technologies for local greening and forest 
land rehabilitation and protection. Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives shall be granted 
to participating institutions. 
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SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to initially implement the 
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provisions of this Act shall be taken out of any funds in the National Treasury not 
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otherwise appropriated: Provided, That subsequent annual funding for the 
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implementation of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act: 
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Provided, further, That there shall be an equitable and proportionate annual 
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appropriation of funds, and access thereto, for this purpose for ~ll barangays. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - Should any part or provision ofl this Act be 
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declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not otherwise 
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affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and 
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other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect following its complete 
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. publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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