Republic of the Philippines

SEVENTEENTH (1774) CONGR
First Regular Session

A012

House Bill No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Deforestation has been identified as one of the causes of flash floods associated
with climate change and global warming, which has become a global concern, as more
countries are beginning to experience climate changes and its negative effects. In the
past years, typhoons Ondoy, Pedring, and Sendong had resulted to wide-spread flash
floods due to our denuded forests and water reservoirs- the flash floods claimed
thousands of lives, left numerous families devastated, and sent small and medium-
scale businesses in the affected areas reeling to the ground.

As an appropriate solution to this problem, reforestation has become a major
and priority concern of the state through the National Greening Program (NGP) which
was previously launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR). Nevertheless, reforestation should also be the concern of every citizen and
residents alike.

As an effort of every citizen to help in the reforestation crusade of the State,
this measure requires the planting of two (2} trees for every child born of a couple, one
of tree for the father and another tree for the mother.

The number of trees to be planted as a result of this bill will be very significant
and it will effectively supplement the 1.5 billion trees to be planted by the DENR
through its NGP, taking into account the thousands of babies that are born and
Human Development Report statistics almost 2 million babies are born in the
Philippines every year, 166,667 every month and 5,556 every day; thereby assuring
no less than 4 million trees yearly,

Furthermore, it will serve to develop the people’s awareness of the need for
reforestation and encourage tree planting as part of the family’s concern and
responsibility, thereby reviving the Filipino tradition- whereby parents, as a sign of
love and care for their children, plant tree for them; and in turn, their children will

1


take care of these trees as a sign of love, respect and as living memories for their
parents.

To ensure compliance with this compulsory measure, the couple is required to
execute a Joint Affidavit of Compliance sworn to before the Punong Barangay of the
place where they reside, or the appropriate legal officer of the Provincial Environment
and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) or Community Environment and Natural
Resources Office (CENRO) in the area where they reside. Thereafter, this joint-affidavit
shall be submitted to the Civil Registrar's Office of the Municipality or City where the
birth of the child should be registered as a requirement for the release of the child's
Certificate of Live Birth.

Because of the merits of this measure and the urgency of reforestation, i
hoped that this bill will get the support of my colleagues in this House,

ae:

ERIC L. OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17') CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4012

House Bill No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

AN ACT
REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT TWO TREES FOR EVERY CHILD BORN TO
THEM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Family Tree Planting
Act of 2016”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy— The state recognizes the prevailing climate
change and global warming brought about by human activity, and which have been
experienced by countries world-wide. Likewise, the Sate recognizes that in the last
three years typhoons have caused wide-spread flash floods that devastated different
areas of the country, claimed thousands of lives, and caused massive damage to
properties. Reforestation has thus become a primary concern of the State, which had
recently launched the National Greening Program (NGP} through the Department of
Environment and Natural resources (DENR). As supplement thereto, it is the policy of
the State to involve the Filipino people in the conservation of our natural resources,
particularly the State’s reforestation project under the National Greening Program,
and in the process, encourage tree planting as part of the family’s concern and
responsibility, thereby reviving the Filipino tradition- whereby parents, as a sign of
love and care for their children, plant trees for them; and in turn, their children will
take care of these planted trees as a sign of love, respect and as living memories for
their parents.

SECTION 3. Mandatory Family Tree Planting — Bach couple residing in the
Philippines whether legally married or not, shall be required to plant or cause to plant
two trees for every child born to them. These trees shall be planted within the
premises of their family home. If the same is not possible, the same shall be planted
in the areas to be designated by the concerned Provincial Environment and Natural
Resources (PENRO) or by City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO}, as the
case maybe, where they reside,



SECTION 4. Ownership of trees.— Ownership of the trees planted pursuant to
this Act shall pertain to the parents or the child for whom the trees are planted,
regardless of location, including those planted in public lands or along highways.

SECTION 5. Joint Affidavit Attesting to Compliance ~ As prerequisite for the
Release of the Certificate of Live Birth, the Local Civil Registrar of the City or
Municipality where the birth of a child shall be registered shall require an affidavit
executed by both parents, or by the solo parent exercising parental authority over the
child, attesting that they have planted two trees in compliance with the requirement of
this Act, and sworn before the Punong Barangay where they reside if the trees were
Planted within the premises of the family home, or before the appropriate legal officer
Of the PENRO or CENRO if the trees were planted in Government sites,

SECTION 6. implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources shall issue the necessary rules and regulations
to carry into effect the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 7. Penal Provision - Any violation of this act by any civil registrar
shall be penalized by a suspension for 15 days or fine of Five thousand Pesos

SECTION 8. Effectivity- This Act shall be effective fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

SECTION 9. Appropriation- The sums necessary for the implementation of this
act, including but not limited to the seedlings to be planted pursuant to this Act shall
be included in the budget of the DENR under the Annual General Appropriations Act,

Approved,