Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH EDUCATION AND 
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO INCREASE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG THE 
YOUTH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
At present, our country is experiencing numerous environmental issues such as air and 
water pollution, illegal and destructive mining and logging, the deforestation of our forests, 
global warming, and climate change, among others. The Philippines, being located at the 
Pacific Ring of Fire, is very much vulnerable to the worsening disasters brought about by 
climate change. Our food security is severely affected by the yearly El Niño season and 
the numerous tropical cyclones which strike the country every year—both of which are 
seemingly getting more destructive as the planet gets warmer. 
Considering the detrimental effects of the various environmental problems that we have; 
every Filipino must take part in the efforts towards the immediate recovery of our 
environment. This proposed measure seeks to instill environmental consciousness 
among the youth through the intensification of the integration of environmental education 
in the curriculum that schools implement. This will also introduce greening activities to 
students to further promote awareness and social responsibility to the Filipino youth.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good 
of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 2, 2022
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH EDUCATION AND 
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO INCREASE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG THE 
YOUTH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Ac shall be known as the “Environmental Responsibility 
Act”. 
SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to adopt sustainable 
measures that will protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful 
ecology. It also recognizes the vital role of Filipino youth in this endeavor as towards 
nature for future generations. Thus, educational institutions are mandated to intensify and 
ensure the integration of environmental education into the curriculum they implement. 
Awareness, coupled with actual engagement in greening activities, is the most effective 
means to shape and ingrain in young minds a stronger sense of social responsibility and 
proactiveness. 
SECTION 3. Integration of Environmental Education in the Curriculum of All 
Students from Elementary to College Level. – Environmental studies shall form part of 
the regular Science curriculum for students from elementary to high school level while it 
shall be incorporated into the National Service Training Program (NSTP) for students at 
the college level. 
SECTION 4. Establishment of a Tree-seeding Nursery. – All schools and colleges shall 
establish a seeding nursery hereinafter referred to as “Punlaan”. It will be a place where 
tree seedlings of native species shall be grown until such time it becomes ready for 
permanent planting. 
SECTION 5. Planting of Seedlings by Grades 1-11 and College Students. – Each 
student from grade levels 1-11 and college students that are taking up National Service 
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Training Program (NSTP) shall be required to plant and ensure the growth of at least two 
(2) tree seedlings per year in the established seedling nursery of their school or college. 
SECTION 6. Tree-planting as a Mandatory Requirement for Graduation. – All 
graduating students from elementary, high school, and college shall be required to plant 
at least ten (10) trees as a mandatory requirement for their graduation. For this activity, 
they shall utilize tree seedlings from the “Punlaan” which are ready for permanent 
planting. In case the number of tree-seedling available at the time of planting is 
insufficient, the school or college may source it from other government seedling banks. 
As far as practicable, the time of tree planting shall coincide with the designated Arbor 
Day of the particular province, city, or municipality that has jurisdiction over the school or 
college, as mandated by Republic Act No. 10176, otherwise known as the “Arbor Day Act 
of 2012.” 
SECTION 7. Preference for Native Species. – The species to be planted should be 
compatible with the location, climate, and topography of the area with a preference for 
native species.  
SECTION 8. Location. – Subject to the recommendation of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the trees to be planted under this Act shall 
be located in any of the following areas: 
a. Forestlands 
b. Mangrove and protected areas 
c. Ancestral domains 
d. Civil and military reservations 
e. Urban areas under the greening plan of the LGUs 
f. Inactive and abandoned mine sites; and 
g. Another suitable land and 
SECTION 9. Management and Supervision of Tree-seedling Nursery. – “Punlaan” 
shall be under the overall management and supervision of the particular school or college. 
SECTION 10. Harmonization with Other Greening Efforts. – The provisions of this Act 
shall be consistent with the existing greening efforts of the government, private sector, 
and civil society organizations in the country. Schools and colleges may work jointly 
and/or enter into a partnership agreement with said agencies and organizations with the 
end to attain the objectives of this Act. 
SECTION 11. Inter-agency Greening Committee. – A greening committee is hereby 
created consisting of an inter-agency body composed of the following 
a. Secretaries of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED) as Co-Chairpersons; 
b. Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as 
Vice-Chairperson; 


c. Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) or its duly 
authorized representative as Member; 
d. Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) or its 
duly authorized representative as Member; 
e. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) or its duly 
authorized representative as Member; 
f. Secretary of the Department of Health or its duly authorized representative as 
Member; 
g. Secretary of Department of Transportation (DOTr) or its duly authorized 
representative as Member; 
h. Secretary of Department of Agriculture (DA) or its duly authorized representative 
as Member. 
The responsibilities of these agencies shall include the following: 
1. Nursery establishment; 
2. Seedling production and site preparation; 
3. Site identification; 
4. Monitoring and evaluation; 
5. Provision of security, transportation, fire protection amenities, and medical 
support; 
6. Technical support and extension services; 
7. Other duties and responsibilities appurtenant to the proper implementation of this 
Act. 
SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DepEd, CHED, DENR, 
DBM, DILG, DOST, DOH, DOTR, and DA shall formulate and promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) necessary to implement this Act within sixty 
(60) days after approval.  
SECTION 13. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.  
SECTION 14. Separability Clause. – In case any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the 
remaining provisions hereof.  
SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, rules, and regulations inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.  
SECTION 16. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved,