Republic of the Philippines
House Or REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifieenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8445
Introduced by Honorable Raul A. Daza*

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish parks or mini-parks and gardens in all cities,
municipalities and barangays throughout the Philippines. in support of the clean
and green movement of the government.

Section 16 of the Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “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."

In his column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mr. Neal H. Cruz once
wrote that:

every big city in the world, whether it be New York, San
Francisco, Rome, London, Moscow, Canberra, etc., there is at
least one big park in the middle of the city. Moscow has a small
park every few blocks; every house is always within a short
walking distance to a park. Aside from parks, China has a green
belt surrounding every city. The streets and sidewalks are wide
and shaded by trees so that even downtown areas have a park-like
atmosphere. Even tiny Singapore, although short of land, has a
park-like feel because every inch of available space on the
sidewalks and backyards are planted to shady narra trees that
came from, ironically, the Philippines.”

“But in Metro Manila, the only park of consequence for all
the cities and towns comprising the megalopolis (and future urban
slum) is the Rizal Park.

Bill Drafting Service


“Quezon City, for all its huge sprawling area, has only the
Quezon Memorial Park, the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife. Eco
and Leisure Park in La Mesa Dam and the tiny Bernardo Park on
EDSA as parks worth mentioning.”

The development of parks or mini-parks in barangays, municipalities and
cities complements our policy against global warming. Parks provide a
wholesome atmosphere where families can enjoy their weekends to relax,
renew and strengthen family ties.

Thus, in line with the constitutional mandate to protect and advance the
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology, the approval of this bill
is earnest

keri! DAZA


Republic of the Philippines
House Or REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no.8 4is

Introduced by Honorable Raul A. Daza

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND
MAINTENANCE OF PARKS IN ALL CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES AND
BARANGAYS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Parks
Development Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy 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. Towards this end,
the Government shall establish, develop and maintain parks. in all barangays,
municipalities and cities of the Philippines to promote a balanced and healthful
ecology, as well as to beautify, enhance the environment and mitigate the

effects of global warming.

Bill Drafting Service


SEC. 3. City and Municipal Parks. — Each city and municipality are
hereby mandated to establish, develop and maintain parks in their respective
territorial jurisdiction which shall constitute an open space for leisure, recreation
and promenade where plants, flowers and trees, playground facilities and
benches are maintained. It may also include a garden for the display, cultivation
and enjoyment of ornamental plants, vegetables and root crops.

For purposes of this Act, barangays are likewise mandated to set aside an

area in their respective territorial jurisdiction for the establishment and
maintenance of mini-parks,

SEC. 4. Local Development Committee. — There shall be established in
every city or municipality a Local Parks and Gardens Development Committee,
hereinafter referred to as the Committee, which shall coordinate all the activities
for the development of parks and gardens in their jurisdiction and provide a
scenic and healthy environment for the people.

SEC. 5. Composition. — The Committee shall be composed of the

following officials:

a) City or Municipal Engineer, as chairman;

b) City or Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, as vice
chairman;

c) City or Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer:

d) — City or Municipal Health Officer:

) City or Municipal Tourism Officer;


) President of the City or Municipal Chapter of the Liga ng mga
Barangay; and

2) _ President of the City or Municipal Chapter of the Pederasyon ng
mga Sangguniang Kabataan, as members.

The Office of the City or Municipal Engineering Officer shall provide
technical and administrative assistance to the Committee in the performance of
its duties.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. ~ The Committee shall exercise the
following powers and functions:

a) Initiate, coordinate and monitor all the activities of parks, mini-
parks or gardens in their respective territorial jurisdiction;

b) Provide the necessary technical data with respect to the

classification, location, condition, and length of all existing vacant lots in

barangays, municipalities and cities;

©) Provide the necessary tculs, equipment, and manpower to effect,
the development of parks, mini-parks or gardens;

d) Mobilize all barangays to ensure’ prompt and _ effective
implementation of this Act;

©) Determine the suitable species .of trees and provide seeds or

saplings to be planted in the parks, mini-parks or gardens;


1) Provide for effective measures and ways for the optimum
maintenance of parks, mini-parks or gardens and the healthy growth of trees and
plants in the same;

g) Assist in the conceptualization, design and site-evaluation of par

mini-parks or gardens in cities, municipalities and barangays; and

h) Perform such other related functions as may be neces!

ry to carry
out its responsibilities.
SEC. 7. Local Residents. — Tac residents of the local government units

are likewise encouraged to set aside an area or open space, if

vailable within

for cultivation of gardens.
SEC. 8. Trees and Ornamental Plants. ~ The planting of trees, such as
shade and forest trees, a

id ornamental plants shall be mandatory in any of the

following places:

a) All public and private parks in the city or municipality;

b) All vacant and unused public school grounds in the barangay,
thunicipality or city; and

@) _Allidle lands of the publie domain designated by the Committee.

SEC. 9. Informal Settlers. ~ In case such parks or mini-parks are
occupied by informal settlers, the local government unit shall, within sixty (60)
days from the approval of this Act, through the Urban Poor Affairs Office
(UPAO), immediately work for the relocation of informal settlers therein in

accordance to existing laws on the matter.


SEC. 10. Local Seed Bank. ~ For the effective implementation of this
Act, each city or municipality shall maintain a seed bank from which the local
residents can draw seeds or saplings and learn proper planting technology. ‘The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall, through the
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), regularly contribute to the local seed banks,
identify the species of trees to be distributed and determine the proper planting
technology to be employed, in consideration of the different topographies,
climates, soil types and other conditions in each city or municipality.

SEC. 11. Prohibited Acts. ~ The following shall constitute prohibited
acts:

a) Indiscriminate cutting, felling or destruction of trees and
ornamental plants in parks or mini-parks except when the cutting, felling or
destruction of the same is necessary for public safety and subject to the issuance
of permits; and

b) Littering in, vandalizing and destroying of the structures in the
parks and mini-parks.

SEC. 12. Penalties. ~ Any person who violates this Act shall, upon
conviction, be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but
not more than one (1) year or a fine of not less than Three thousand pesos
(P3.000.00) but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00), or both such

fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.


SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of the
Interior and Local Government shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, issue rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation,

Approved,