Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES /[ © ire
Constitution Hills, Quezon City Tie:

SEVENTEENTH (17TH) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4c09

House Bill No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our environment has been the object of abuse, neglect and
unconcern for many decades. It is only now that some attention and care
is being extended to our environment and in most cases on a sporadic
basis.

Considering the present state of our environment, to be effective
and meaningful, efforts to rescue our environment from its present
degradation should be massive and sustained. The mandate to care for
our environment should not only be compulsory. It should also contain
incentives.

In other more socially advanced and environment-conscious
countries, one day of every year is declared Environment Day. On this
day, every year, everybody is expected to participate in environment
care activities, such as cleaning the streets, the surroundings, fences,
sidewalks, beaches, rivers, riverbanks and all other areas which need
cleaning.


In the Philippines, because of the sad state of our environment, we
need many more days to be devoted to our environment. This bill
Proposes to make the last Saturday of every month Environment Day.

Tearnestly invite my colleagues to support this bill.

ERIC L. OLIVAREZ


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

SEVENTEENTH (177) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4009

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Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

House Bill No.

AN ACT DECLARING A NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT DAY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress Assembled.

Section 1. - Title - This act shall be known as the “National
Environment Day Act of 2016.”

Section 2. - Declaration of Policy - It is the declared policy of the
state to protect the environment and to preserve and maintain it in a
clean and healthful condition and in order to attain this objective the
state shall involve the active participation of the public sector as well as
all segments of the private sector.

Section 3, - Declaration of Environment Day - The last Saturday of
every month of the year is hereby declared as Environment Day.

Section 4. - Activities on Environment Day - Environment Day
shall be specially devoted to the following activities: Cleaning of
surroundings, streets, sidewalks, walkways, playgrounds, parks, rivers,
river banks, beaches & public buildings; improvement of the appearance


of buildings, fences & walls; planting of trees, flowering plants; and any
other environmental activity.

In general, an environmental activity is one which will enhance the
condition or promote the aesthetic value of the environment or any
activity which is related or will contribute to said objective.

Section 5. - Participants in the Environment Day Activities: All
government offices and its attached agencies including government
owned and controlled corporations, privately owned corporations, local
government units (LGU’s), public and private schools, non-government
organizations (NGOs), civic clubs, religious and non-religious
organizations, and the general public.

Section 6. - Incentives - The above-enumerated agencies and
organizations shall devise appropriate plans and programs to give
incentives and create sustained interest in the activities on Environment
Day among its employces, constituents, students, and members;

Corporations shall be allowed tax exemptions/deductions for
expenses incurred for activities under this act. Public and private schools
are allowed to give academic credits to students for participation in
activities under this act. Local government units shall appropriate
reasonable amounts in their budget for the expenditures for activities
under this act.

Section 7. - Advocacy - The Department of Energy and Natural
Resources, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local
Governments, Department of Education, Commission on Higher
Education shall widely disseminate the provisions of this Act and shall
employ such programs as may be appropriate to develop interest and
sustained support for the objectives of this Act.

Section 8. - Separability Clause, - If any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 9. - Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this act are hereby
repealed or amended accordingly


Section 10. - Effectivity - This act shall take effect fifteen days after

publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,