EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2290
RECEIVED
FLED
DATC
¥NDEX
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE URBAN GREEN PATCHES PROGRAM AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 16 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution states the poiicy 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. As such, existing laws mandate the 
provision of open spaces as an essentiai component of living in communities, as it 
provides a venue for activities and interaction between and among people and the 
environment.
Despite these, the country is in dire need for more open spaces. In fact, the 
2011 Green Cities Index by Siemens and The Economist Intelligence Unit showed that 
in Metro Manila, each inhabitant has an average of 5 square meters of green open 
space, a figure that is way below the minimum’ of 9 square meters per person as 
recommended by the Worid Health Organization (WHO)1. And in the midst of an 
unprecedented urban population growth and depletion of available lands for such, 
there is a growing concern on the irreversible effects of congestion and climate change
1 https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/covid-19-pandemlc-highlights-lack-metro-manila-green-
open-spaces


on people, and the citizens' disconnect with nature. Note that open spaces are defined 
as areas reserved exclusively for parks, playgrounds, recreational uses, schools, roads, 
places of worship, hospitals, health centers, barangay centers and other similar 
facilities and amenities.2 Existing laws don't necessarily mandate the exact proportion 
of vegetation cover that will occupy these open spaces. To help mitigate the effects 
of global warming, there is an urgent need for more green spaces within or outside 
these open spaces. Green spaces are open spaces for leisure, recreation, and 
promenade where soft (i.e. plants and trees) and hard (i.e. pavement and benches) 
landscape may be found. Developing more green spaces couid help manage and abate 
the high temperature that the country is experiencing especially in Metro Manila and 
other urban centers brought about by climate change. This, and such other benefits 
and opportunities as the country ushers in the "new normal", such as reduced air and 
noise pollution, enhanced physical and mental health, and improved living conditions 
in urban communities. In 2018, a study by the Journal of American Medical Association 
(JAMA) Network Open showed an improved mental health of Philadelphia residents 
after a greening intervention on vacant lots3.
Thus, this bill seeks to establish an Urban Green Patches Program under the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, aimed at preserving, maintaining 
and Improving the existing green spaces and utilizing idle lands to help improve the 
microclimatic conditions of human settlements in urban areas..
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought. o
EL "LITO" M. LAPID
J PD 1216, S.1977
3 https://jamanetworl<.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2688343


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
2290
OATC
¥
BILLS
NDEX
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE URBAN GREEN PATCHES PROGRAM AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Urban Green Patches 
Program Act"
Sec. 2. Declaration ofPoiicy. - 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 State shall 
establish a program which shall preserve, maintain and improve the country's existing 
green spaces and utilize idle lands to help improve the microclimatic conditions of 
human settlements especially in urban areas, and address food security.
apply:
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following definitions shall
(A) Green spacesBre open spaces for leisure, recreation, and promenade where 
soft (i.e. plants and trees) and hard (i.e. pavement and benches) landscape 
may be found.


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(B)/o7e Idndis a non-agricultural land in urban and urbanizable areas with an 
area of more than one thousand (1,000) square meters, five hundred (500) 
square meters of which have no improvements for a period of five (5) 
consecutive years immediately prior to or at any time after the effectivity of 
this Act, as identified by the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR), in coordination with the local government units.
Improvements shall refer to ail types of buildings and residential units, wall, 
fences, structures or constructions of all kinds of a fixed character or which 
adhered to the soil but shall not include trees, plants and growing fruits, 
and other fixtures that are mere superimpositions on the land.
Sec. 4. Green Patches Program. - The Green Patches Program is hereby 
established under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in 
coordination with relevant government agencies and local government units, that 
shall:
(A) Conduct an inventory of existing green spaces and Idle lands in the country, 
that shall produce a baseline data Indicating the extent of vegetative cover, 
and other bio-physical and ecological conditions of each;
(B) Enforce measures to preserve, improve and maintain the existing green 
spaces to include:
(I) 
Prohibition on the utilization or development of the same for any 
other purpose; and
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Utilization of effective measures for the optimum maintenance of 
such spaces as well as the growth of the trees and plants therein.
(C) Formulate and enforce policies and regulations to promote the greening of 
idle lands in urban areas such as:
(1) Enforcement of a 10-year moratorium on the utilization or development 
of such idle lands for purposes other than for greening purposes;


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Provided, That Idle lands falling within the coverage of the Program shall
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be exempt from the additional ad valorem tax on idle lands imposed by
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a province or city, or a municipality within the Metropoiitan Manila Area,
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pursuant to their local tax ordinances; Provided further, That should an
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Idle land owner decide to use the land for any other purpose other than
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for greening purposes within the 10-year period, the same shail be
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required to contribute in any government reforestation programs and
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projects by planting one (1) tree for every 10 square meters of such idie
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land.
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(II) Provision of free tree, food crop and other piant seedlings and
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saplings as weil as continued technical and financial assistance by
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the DENR to participating idle land owners;
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Sec. 5. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the DENR, In consultation with other relevant agencies shali
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promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to fully implement the
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objectives and purposes of this Act.
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Section 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
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this Act shall be Included in the annual General Appropriations for the year following
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its enactment into law and thereafter.
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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion of provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain In force and effect.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of Instruction, rule or regulation Inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general 
circulation.


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Approved,