Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

DEC 06 2016

RECEIVED

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4610

Introduced by Rep. Doy C. Leachon
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. During
the past decades, our country has endured from deadly typhoons, storm surge, volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. According to studies, this is due to
its location along the Ring of Fire, or typhoon belt — a large Pacific Ocean region where
many of Earth’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. Annually, approximately 80
typhoons develop above tropical waters, of which 19 enter the Philippine Region and six
to nine make landfall in our country. Thus, the same are inevitable in our country.

Last November 8, 2013 Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, considered as the strongest
typhoon in the history of mankind had tattered Eastern Visayas. According to National
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRMMC) update as of 10 January 2014,
number of deaths were estimated to be at 6,190; 28,626 were reported injured and
1,785 are still missing. Cost of damages was estimated at Php36,690,882,497.27 with
Php18,336,576,527.39 for infrastructures and Php18, 354,305,869.88 for agriculture in
Region IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII, VIII, and CARAGA.

Typhoon Yolanda was the worst tropical cyclone that hit the Philippines on 8
November 2013, killing at least 6,201 people. Typhoon Yolanda caused hug destruction
in the Visayas, particularly Samar and Leyte Provinces and accordingly, about 11 million
people have been affected and m,any have been left without homes.



In view of this, there is a strong need to increase awareness, enhance education
and curb these preventable catastrophic illnesses through the system wide approach
triggered the national level.

Planting trees on a national level will address the ill effects of climate change
through PPP project knowing very well that protecting the environment is everyone's
concern in society.

The Philippine observes Arbor Day on 25 June by planting trees and ornamental
plants and other forms of relevant activities pursuant to Proclamation No. 643, series of
2004 and other internationally-recognized environment-themed holidays such as Earth
Day on 22 April and World Earth Day on 25" of June.

This piece of legislation is a measure to strengthen Senator Grace Poe's
Resolution in the Senate entitles, “Joint Resolution on the observance of the “ DAY OF
RISING’ in the Philippines beginning November 8 of this year- A day to plant trees, to
meaningfully remember Arbor Day, and to rekindle the bayanihan spirit- venerating a
year of survival after typhoon Yolanda.

Hence, the necessity and immediacy of approving this bill is of highly
importance.

ATTY. PAULINO fADOR “DOY” C, LEACHON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4610

Introduced by Rep. Doy C. Leachon

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER 8 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE “DAY OF
RISING”-A DAY TO PLANT TREES, TO MEANINGFULLY REMEMBER ARBOR
DAY, AND TO REKINDLE THE BAYANIHAN SPIRIT-VENERATING YEARS OF
SURVIVAL AFTER TYPHOON YOLANDA.

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 National Day of Rising
Act of 2016”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State
that it is her duty to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and
healthy ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

The State recognizes the importance of protecting the right of the people to a
balance and healthful ecology that the Supreme Court declared the State’s mandate
by affirming the right in the landmark case of Oposa v. Factoran, G. R. No. 1011083
that “unless the right to a balanced and healthful ecology is protected ...the day
would not be far when all else would be lost for generations which stand to inherit
nothing but parched earth incapable of sustaining life”.

Section 3. National Day of Rising. - November 8 of every year is hereby
declared as National Rising Day.

Section 4. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources and the Department of Education and Interior and Local
Governments in coordination with the Climate Change Commission, and in
Partnership with the Civil Society, the academe and media shall be lead agencies


and shall plan and implement activities for the observance of the “National Day of
Rising” by making available seeds, seedlings and plants.

Section 5. Effectivity. -This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,