EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1938
HE
THE sWX
L|l 0^ December 7 2020 (Ttj
icp T)Ii]e:_-^7^
BY
INDEX.
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL DEALERS, RETAILERS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES ENGAGED 
IN THE SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO PLANT AT LEAST TEN (10) TREES FOR 
EVERY SALES TRANSACTION
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution enshrines the duty of the State 
to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in 
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
This constitutional precept of environmental protection Is made more relevant 
today as the country was just devastated by a triad of consecutive strong typhoons 
(Quinta, Roily and Ulysses) in a span of less than a month while in the middle of a 
global pandemic. Typhoons maybe regular occurrences in the country, but as years 
pass by, they became more destructive, both in terms of loss of human lives and 
economic damage. For typhoon Ulysses alone, at least 167,885 farmers were reported 
to be affected and 334,533 hectares of agricultural lands were damaged1, for a total 
of Php 12.8 Billion financial loss In the agricultural sector alone2. The images showing 
destruction and flooding in various provinces of Luzon paints a narrative of misery, 
poverty and a difficult road to recovery for the hardest-hit communities. While the
1 https://www.philstar.eom/business/2020/l 1/29/206011 l/ulvsses-damatre-auriculture-hits-
n67-billion
2 https://mb.com.ph/2020/ll/26/tvphoon-ulvsses-damaue-to-the-auriculturc-sector-at-pl2-8-
b-da/


resilience and tenacity of our citizens cannot be doubted, this is not enough. Concrete 
action and policies must be undertaken and implemented to address the yearly trend 
of stronger storms, higher floods and greater ruin.
One area where action must be made and it must be immediate is the 
deforestation situation in our country. Time and again, the nexus between flooding 
and denuded forests is sufficiently proven. During the last typhoons, deforestation 
along flood-prone areas was hugely blamed for intensifying the level of inundation3.
This bill seeks to contribute to the reforestation efforts of the government by 
requiring all dealers, retailers and similar entities which are engaged in the sale of 
motor vehicles to plant at least ten (10) trees for every sales transaction within a 
period of six (6) months from the date thereof. The Department of Trade and Industry 
is tasked to monitor and ensure compliance with this requirement, by mandating the 
submission of a report on tree-planting activities, accompanied with a certification 
from the City or Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of the locality 
where the tree planting was conducted. The DTI, through its duly authorized officers, 
will also have the power to inspect and copy, within reasonable business hours and 
days, the records of covered entities. Locations and tree species for the tree planting 
activities shall be determined by the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR). To deter non-compliance, penal provisions are likewise provided 
in this proposed measure in the form of fines and eventual closure of businesses for 
repeated violations.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
L LITO M. LAPI
1 https://www.nvtimes.com/2020/ll/18/world/asia/philinnines-floods-photos.html


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1938
I <J>
Ilu date;
Jo* s‘%>
\ip
E-FILED” ■
December 7 2020 rrt
•oof
t»me;
03:59 pm
&Y
INDEX.
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL DEALERS, RETAILERS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES ENGAGED 
IN THE SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO PLANT AT LEAST TEN (10) TREES FOR 
EVERY SALES TRANSACTION
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Mandatory Tree Planting 
for Every Motor Vehicle Sales Act."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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. Towards this end, the State shall promote the planting of trees to 
ensure environmental protection, biodiversity and climate change mitigation for the 
welfare of present and future generations
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows:
a) Motor vehicle refers to any self-propelled, four (4) wheeled road vehicle 
designed to carry passengers including, but not limited to, sedans, coupes, 
station wagons, convertibles, pick-ups, vans, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Asian Utility Vehicles (AUVs) but excluding motorcycles, deliver/ trucks, dump 
trucks, buses, road rollers, trolley cars, street sweepers, sprinklers, lawn 
mowers and heavy equipment such as, but not limited to, bulldozers, 
payloaders, graders, forklifts, amphibian trucks, cranes, and vehicles which run 
only on rails or tracks, and tractors, trailers and traction engines of all kinds 
used exclusively for agricultural purposes. Trailers having any number of 
wheels, when propelled or Intended by attachment to a motor vehicle, shall be 
classified as separate motor vehicle with no power rating; and 
b) Dealer or retailer refers to any person, natural or juridical, that sell new motor 
vehicles directly to the retail buyers and the public;
Section 4. Mandatory Tree Planting for Every Motor Vehicle Sales. -
All dealers, retailers and similar entitles which are engaged in the sale of motor 
vehicles shall be required to plant at least ten (10) trees for every sales transaction. 
This requirement of tree planting shall be accomplished within six (6) months from 
the date of the sales transaction as reflected in the official receipt Issued to the buyer.
Section 5. Enforcement and Monitoring. -The Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI) shall be the agency tasked with the enforcement and monitoring of 
obligations imposed under this Act. All dealers, retailers and similar entities shall 
submit to the DTI Regional Office exercising jurisdiction over their respective principal 
place of business an annual report of their tree-planting activities in compliance with 
this Act. The said report shall be accompanied with a certification from the City or 
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of the locality where the tree 
planting was conducted. The DTI, through its duly authorized officers, shall have the 
power to inspect and copy, within reasonable business hours and days, the records of 
the covered entities to ensure the proper Implementation of this Act.
Section 6. Location and Tree Species. -The trees to be planted under this 
Act shall be planted In locations Identified by the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) with due consideration of the principal place of business of 
the covered dealer, retailer or similar entity. The tree species to be planted shall


1 
likewise be in accordance with a list of suitable tree species to be prepared by the
2 
DENR.
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Section 7. Penal Provisions. -Any dealer, retailer or similar entity who fails 
to satisfy the tree pianting requirement within the period set in this Act shall be liable 
for a fine not exceeding Php 10,000 for every tree not planted. Repeated non- 
compliance for two (2) years within a five (5)-year period shall result to a fine not 
exceeding Php 20,000 for the outstanding number of trees not planted within the said 
period. Repeated non-compliance for three or more years within a five (5)-year period 
shall result in the closure of the non-compliant business entity and a fine not exceeding 
Php 30,000 for the outstanding number of trees not planted within the said period. If 
the dealer or retailer is a juridical entity, the same shall be solidarily liable for the acts 
or omissions of its officers, agents and employees that resulted in the non-compliance 
of this Act.
Section 8. Impiementing RuiesandReguiations. - Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, DTI, and other relevant government 
agencies and stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act.
Section 9. Repeaiing Ciause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
Section 10. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, 
the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.
Section 11. Effectivity Ciause.—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general


1 
circulation.
2
3 
Approved^