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Republic of the Philippines Se INDEX. oy
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES :
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3978

Introduced by Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo and Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish an arboretum in the campus of the Mindanao State University-
Lanao del Norte Agricultural College in Barangay Ramain, Municipality of Sultan Naga
Dimaporo to be known as the MSU-LNAC Arboretum.

An arboretum is an area devoted to specimen planting of woody plants which are either
trees or shrubs. Distinct from a forest or park, it is in a sense an outdoor museum of trees. It is a
place where many varieties of trees and shrubs are grown for research, educational, and
‘omamental purposes where trees and other woody plants are cultivated for exhibition.

An arboretum plays an important role in the lives of many people and is a valuable
environmental, educational, recreational, and cultural resource for the country. It plays an
important role in the area of conservation and preservation of endangered species of trees where
they can be protected and propagated to preserve the biological diversity of planet Earth.

Trees help us address climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere. They do this by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO,), using the carbon (C) to produce
sugar for tree growth and releasing the oxygen (Oz) back in the air. As trees grow, they store
carbon in their leaves. Planting more trees surely mitigate the effects of climate change — as long
as the right trees are planted in the right place. An arboretum is such one right place.

Many services that an arboretum performs for the public at large are too well known to
require elaboration, So also is the educational importance of an arboretum attached to a college
or university. Perhaps the most important arboretum function from the academe point of view is
to provide an outdoor laboratory for scientific studies by faculty, students and residents in
dendrology, phenology, botany, environmental studies, photography and other related fields of
study. The arboretum will serve as an educational resource for environmental stewardship, the
history of the province, the study of trees and other woody plants, and a place of learning and
respite for the people of Lanao del Norte. Hence, this bill.


In view of the importance of protecting and conserving endangered tree species and
other woody plants, and having a clean and healthy environment, approval of this measure is
eamestly requested.

C= D. DIMAPORO

Second District, Lanao del Norte



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3978.

Introduced by Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo and Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY-LANAO DEL NORTE
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ARBORETUM IN BARANGAY RAMAIN,
MUNICIPALITY OF SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. There is hereby established an arboretum of one hundred 100
hectares within the reservation for campus of the Mindanao State University-Lanao
del Norte Agricultural College (MSU-LNAC) in Barangay Ramain, Municipality of
Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Province of Lanao del Norte to be known as the MSU-LNAC
Arboretum.

For purposes of this Act, Arboretum refers to a reserved area which is
essentially for a well-grown and representative collection of trees or shrubs species
planted and maintained for the purpose of reference, scientific studies and as a

convenient source of seed and herbarium materials.

SECTION 2. The MSU-LNAC Arboretum shall have the following purposes:

a) To aid in the study and teaching of dendrology, phenology, botany,
biology, and other related fields of study by being utilized as an outdoor laboratory

by faculty and students of nearby schools;


b) To serve as a sanctuary for the preservation and conservation of
genetic resources of trees and shrubs, and as a model for environmentally sound
landscape management;

c) To be an area within which the best species of indigenous woody
plants can be propagated and where new species that can thrive in locality be
introduced;

d) To provide a healthy and conducive area for recreation while at the
same time enhancing the environmental consciousness of the community to
preserve the natural beauty and ambiance of the Arboretum’s protection zone; and

e) To serve as the habitat for a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds,
small mammals, and other wildlife in the area.

SECTION 3. The layout and design of the arboretum shall conform to its
objectives and to the following consideration:

a) The trees should be planted in rows following the contour of the land area;

b) At least five (5) replicates of each species should be planted to ensure the
security of the species;

c) Each tree species should be numbered, labelled and tagged with scientific
name, common or local name, and the date and place of collection. In case of
mortality, the species should be replanted with the appropriate species should be
replanted.

SECTION 4. To ensure the growth of the species to be planted:


a) Each tree species should be of high quality materials, the selection of
which should be made at least twelve (12) months prior to planting, in
consultation with the nearest office of the Department of Environment and
‘Natural Resources (DENR).

b) Proper site preparation should be done prior to planting, to include

brushing/slashing, staking, digging of hole, plowing and/or cultivation.

c). Planting should be done at the onset of the rainy season.

SECTION 5. The Arboretum shall be placed under the overall management
and supervision of the DENR. The DENR Secretary shall be appoint a
Superintendent of the Arboretum who, together with a staff to be selected by the
DENR from among its staff, shall ensure the proper management of the Arboretum.

SECTION 6. An Oversight Committee is hereby created to oversee and
monitor the development and operation of the arboretum composed of the

following:

1) The DENR Secretary or a duly designated representative as Chairperson;

2) The Provincial Governor of the Province of Lanao del Norte or his
representative as co-Chairperson;

3) The Mayor of the Municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo as Vice-
Chairman;

4) The President of the League of Municipal Mayors of Lanao del Norte

or the Vice-President thereof if the Mayor of Sultan Naga Dimaporo is the

President of the League as member;

5) The Chancellor or Head of the MSU-LNAC as member; and


6) one (1) member to be appointed by the DENR Secretary from among
three (3) recommendees of the Provincial Governor.

SECTION 7. The Arboretum may accept donations from government
agencies or units and from private entities, both local and foreign.

SECTION 8. The amount necessary to implement initially the provisions
of this Act shall be taken from the available savings of the DENR System. Such
sums as may be necessary for the continued operation of the arboretum shall be

included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,