Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

20% CONGRESS
Ist Regular Session

House Bit No.4022

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JENNIFER A. LAGBAS.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “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.”
Further, Article Il, Section 13 recognizes that “the State shall recognize the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social
well-being,”

Climate change continues to pose an urgent and existential threat to the Philippines, being one of the most
disaster-vulnerable countries in the world, Extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and biodiversity
loss have taken a toll on the lives, livelihoods, and resources of countless Filipinos. These challenges
necessitate concrete, community-based, and intergenerational responses that directly involve the youth.

‘Tree planting is a practical and sustainable approach to address the effects of climate change. It improves
air quality, enhances water conservation, prevents soil erosion, restores biodiversity, and mitigates
greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond its ecological benefits, tree planting instills in the youth a sense of
civie duty, environmental stewardship, and collective responsibility for the welfare of future generations.

This proposed measure requires all graduating senior high school and college students to plant at least two
Q) trees as a prerequisite for graduation. The bill also establishes clear mechanisms for monitoring and
reporting, emphasizes the use of indigenous species suitable for specific locations, and provides
incentives to top-performing educational institutions. By institutionalizing this tree-planting requirement,
the State not only addresses environmental concerns but also cultivates a generation of Filipinos who are
environmentally conscious and committed to nation-building.

In view of the above, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


HON. JENNIFER A. LAGBAS
Representative
First District, Misamis Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

20" CONGRESS
Ist Regular Session

nouse BiLLNo. 402 Z

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JENNIFER A. LAGBAS.

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO
PLANT AT LEAST TWO (2) TREES AS A CIVIC DUTY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION, PROVIDING MECHANISMS FOR
ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Youth Tree Planting for Climate Action Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and advance the
right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote their
involvement in civic and public affairs, particularly in environmental protection and climate change
mitigation,

‘Towards this end, the State shall encourage and support the participation of graduating students in tree
planting and allied activities as a means of instilling patriotism, environmental awareness, and social
responsibility. Planting trees and nurturing ecosystems shall not only contribute to ecological stability and
biodiversity conservation but shall also foster intergenerational responsibility by cultivating
environmental stewards for the present and future generations.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:

(a) Allied Activities - shall refer to activities which support or complement tree planting, providing a
holistic learning approach and experience for graduating students. It includes activities such as,
but not limited to, producing seeds, clearing planting sites, digging holes, weeding, potting of
seedlings, composting for the production of fertilizer, watering, maintaining of nursery, putting up
fences to protect the seedlings from grazing, trampling, and other potential damage caused by
animals, and such other activities as may be related to or in preparation for growing a tree and
increasing its chance of survival;


(b) Graduating Students in High School - shall refer to students enrolled in senior high school at
Grade 12 level;

(©) Graduating Students in College - shall refer to students enrolled in the last year of their
undergraduate course;

(@) Indigenous Species - shall refer to species or subspecies of wildlife naturally occurring or has
naturally established population in the country; and

(©) Planting Sites - shall refer to areas that possess the characteristics appropriate and necessary in
planting and cultivating the growth of healthy trees, which is evaluated based on soil quality,
climate conditions, topography, biodiversity, accessibility, and other safety and environmental
hazards.

() Professional forester - shall refer to a registered and licensed natural person who holds a valid
certificate of registration and a valid professional identification card issued by the Professional
Regulatory Board for Foresters and the PRC defined under Republic Act No. 10690, otherwise
known as “The Forestry Profession Act.”

SEC. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all public and private Senior High Schools (SHS) and Higher
Educational Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines.

SEC. 5. Location. - The trees to be planted under this Act shall be located in planting sites which are
determined to be suitable by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the
Local Government Units (LGUs), in close coordination with the concerned educational institutions,
preferably within the municipality, city, or province where the educational institution is located. Provided,
however, That, in the absence of a suitable planting site within the municipality, city, or province where
the educational institution is located, tree planting activities may be conducted in suitable planting sites in
a nearby municipality, city, or province, as may be applicable.

Provided, further, That tree planting activities under this Act shall be consistent with existing forest land
use and tenure agreements, including, but not limited to, Sustainable Forest Land Management
‘Agreements and Community-Based Forest Management programs, to ensure proper coordination with
tenure holders and communities responsible for long-term maintenance.

SEC. 6. Tree planting as a prerequisite for graduation. - All graduating students in senior high school
and college in the Philippines shall plant at least two (2) trees each as a prerequisite for their graduation:
Provided, That, persons with disability (PWD) shall be exempted from the requirement only if their
impairment is of a nature that renders them fully and effectively incapacitated from participating in the
tree planting activities. Provided, however, That, the responsibility of the exempted PWD student for
planting at least two (2) trees each shall be assumed either by the educational institution's respective
teaching or non-teaching staff and/or any other volunteer graduating student.

Provided, further, that students may not participate in any activity related to their graduation, including
bbut not limited to the filing of an Application to Graduate (ATG), graduation rites, and/or the release of
academic documents or records, unless they have complied with the tree planting requirement under this
‘Act and have been issued a Certificate of Compliance by their educational institution, duly verified by the
DENR or its local offices.

SEC. 7. Priority Species. - The species of trees to be planted should be appropriate to the location,
climate, and topography of the area, prioritizing Indigenous Species. All priority Indigenous Species shall
be determined by the DENR.

SEC. 8 Partner Agencies and Stakeholders. - The DENR, in partnership with the Department of
Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Agriculture (DA),


the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Local Government Units (LGUs),
shall ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the provisions of this Act.

For this purpose, the joint responsibilities of the aforementioned government agencies and stakeholders
are as follows:

(@) Information dissemination in connection with the tree planting activities, including allied
activities;

(b) Coordination among different agencies and stakeholders;

(©) Identification and assessment of planting sites, ensuring that all necessary standards and
requirements are met; and

(@ Monitoring and evaluation

SEC. 9. Specific Roles and Functions of Agencies and Educational Institutions. - To ensure the
effective and efficient implementation of this Act, the following shall be the specific functions of the
following agencies:

(a) The DENR shall:
(i) Identify priority species and plating sites suitable for the tree planting activities which
would be performed within protected areas (PAS), forestlands, and other lands of the
public domain, and develop a list from which the DepEd and CHED shall elect;
Gi) Conduct survey and mapping of areas where mass or collective tree planting activities
can be performed;
(ii) Provide the native tree and bamboo seedlings required for the planting sites;
(iv) Maintain a seedling bank or nursery, which will serve as a ready source of seedlings to be
provided to educational institutions;
(v) _ Provide other technical assistance as may be requested by the DepEd, CHED, and other
educational institutions;
(+f) Malnsin's rgitry of profesional frees who may be exgnged by educational
institutions for the supervision and management of tree planting sit
(vii) Align the tree planting activities mandated under this Act with anes! DENR flagship
programs and ensure that all student-led tree planting activities are registered in the
official DENR monitoring portal for transparency, data consolidation, and carbon
sequestration accounting.

(b) The DepEd shall:
(i) Conduct information dissemination and campaigns in its field offices and senior high
schools regarding tree planting requirements for graduating students;
Gi) Include the tree planting activities, as well as allied activities, in the school calendar;
ii) Direct the concemed educational institutions to mobilize the graduating students to
comply with the tree planting requirement for graduation;
(iv) Maintain a list of students who have completed the required tree planting activities;
(v) Monitor and regulate the operation of tree planting activities, including allied activities;
(vi) Prepare and submit reports of the actual number of trees planted per graduating batch of
students to DENR;
(vii) Ensure that all participating educational institutions engage the services of a professional
forester to supervise and manage tree planting sites in coordination with the DENR and
LGUs;
(viii) Coordinate with the DENR, DA, DILG, and other relevant government agencies to
provide hazard, risk, and safety training to supervising teachers and coordinators; and
(ix) Perform other duties and fianctions necessary to accomplish the mandate of this Act.


(©) The CHED shall:

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Conduct information dissemination and campaigns in its regional offices and Higher
Educational Institutions (HEIs) regarding tree planting requirements for graduating
students;

Direct the concemed HEIs to mobilize the graduating students to comply with the tree
planting requirement for graduation;

‘Maintain a list of students who have completed the required tree planting activity;

Prepare and submit reports of the actual number of trees planted per graduating batch of
‘students to DENR;

Ensure that all participating educational institutions engage the services of a professional
forester to supervise and manage tree planting sites in coordination with the DENR and
LGUs,

Coordinate with the DENR, DA, DILG, and other relevant government agencies to
provide hazard, risk, and safety training to supervising teachers and coordinators; and
Perform other duties and functions necessary to accomplish the mandate of this Act.

(@) The DA shall:

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Facilitate the production and distribution of agricultural fruit trees and tree-based
high-value crops; and
Perform other duties and functions necessary to accomplish the mandate of this Act.

(©) The DILG, through LGUs, shall:

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Gi)
Gi)

Identify and recommend to the DENR the planting sites within the LGU’s jurisdiction in
accordance with their existing plan, which shall include, but shall not be limited to green
spaces, roadsides, public school grounds, gardens or other available areas within the
school premises, idle or vacant public lands, and public parks in urban and rural areas, as
may be relevant;

Provide the necessary logistics in coordination with partner agencies and educational
institutions; and

Perform other duties and functions necessary to accomplish the mandate of this Act.

(©) Educational Institutions shall:

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(ii)

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lan and schedule the conduct of tree planting activities, including allied activities, every
academic year;

Mobilize the graduating students to comply with the tree planting requirement for
graduation;

Coordinate with appropriate partner agencies for the provision of seedlings, scheduled
conduct of tree planting activities, including allied activities, and other necessary
preparations;

Prepare and submit reports of the actual number of graduation students who successfully
complied with the tree planting requirement to DepEd or CHED, as applicable;

Ensure the safety and welfare of the graduating students during the tree planting
activities, including allied activities;

Perform other roles and functions in connection with the implementation of this Act as
ordered by the DepEd or CHED, if applicable; and

Issue a Certificate of Compliance duly signed by a designated school official, which shall
be verified by the DENR or its local offices.

SEC. 10. Maintenance and Survival of Planted Trees. - The trees planted under this Act shall be
properly maintained to ensure their growth and survival. For this purpose:


(@) Educational institutions, in coordination with the DENR, LGUs, and other partner agencies, shall
ensure that the planted trees are regularly monitored, watered, protected, and maintained for a
minimum of three (3) years;

(b) All tree planting sites established under this Act shall be supervised and managed by a
professional forester. Educational institutions shall engage the services of a professional forester,
in coordination with the DENR and LGUs, to ensure proper site management, maintenance,
silvicultural practices, and long-term survival of the plantations;

(c) The DENR, in partnership with LGUs and other stakeholders, shall establish survival standards
and conduct periodic monitoring and evaluation of the trees planted.

(@ A survival rate of at least eighty percent (80%) shall be required. Should the survival rate fall
below this standard, replanting activities shall be conducted to meet the minimum requirement.

(©) The costs of maintenance, supervision by professional foresters, and replanting shall be
incorporated into the annual budgets of the implementing agencies concerned, without prejudice
to partnerships with private and civil society organizations.

SEC. 11. Role of Private Sectors. - Private sectors may allow their private land for tree planting activities,
including allied activities, in coordination with the educational institutions: Provided, That, the private
sector shall allocate all resources pertinent to the implementation of this Act.

‘Tree planting and allied activities may also be conducted within DENR-identified Potential Investment
Areas (PIAS) for sustainable forest management, subject to agreements with concerned tenure holders,
LGUs, and private sector partners, to maximize ecological and economic benefits consistent with
agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

SEC. 12. Role of Civil Society and Community Organizations. - Civil society organizations,
non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations, and community-based groups may
participate as partners in tree planting and allied activities, in coordination with educational institutions
and partner agencies.

SEC. 13. Recognition, Certification, and Incentives. - Recognitions, certifications, and incentives shall
be given to top-performing educational institutions, under criteria prepared by the DENR, in partnership
with other agencies, to promote environmental awareness, encourage active participation, and ensure the
effective and efficient implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Mandatory Review and Reporting; Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DepEd and CHED shall
conduct a mandatory review and provide recommendations on the implementation of the tree planting
activities, including allied activities, every five (5) years and report on the progress of such activities to
the DENR from time to time as may be necessary. The DENR shall be the principal agency tasked to
monitor and evaluate the growth of the planted trees.

Annual reports on the number of trees planted, their locations, and survival rates shall be made publicly
available through the official websites of the DENR, DepEd, and CHED.

SEC. 15. Transitory Provision. — The requirements under this Act shall apply beginning Academic Year
2026-2027.

SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after its effectivity, the DENR,
DILG, DepEd, CHED, and DA, in consultation with other agencies, shall promulgate and issue the
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.


SEC. 17. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included
in the budgets of the completing departments or agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act
(GAA).

SEC. 18. Separability Clause. - Any portion of or provision of this Act that may be declared
unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying the other portions or provisions hereof as
long as such remaining portion or provision can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SEC. 19. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations, or other issuances or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 20. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,