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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._22'70

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, everybody is expected to participate in environment care
activities, such as cleaning the streets, the surroundings, fences,
sidewalks, beaches, rivers, riverbanks and all 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.

au ( -H,
ERIC L. OLIVAREZ


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2270

House Bill No.

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L, OLIVAREZ

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 2013.”

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 plans;

In general any activity which will enhance 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 government owned corporation, Local
government units, Public and private schools, Non-government
organization, civic clubs, religious and non-religious organizations, 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 employees, constituents, students, and members;
Corporations shall be allowed tax exemption/deduction 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 culture and Sports 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,