Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill Number ___________ 
Introduced by REP. JANE T. CASTRO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill requires parents to plant two (2) trees for every child born to them, 
and this bill has been approved with the House of Representatives in the 18th and 
19th Congress.  
The issue of climate change affects everyone of us in the whole world.  To 
combat its disastrous effects, everyone would need to take action; and any plan 
of action should take into account the family as a basic unit of society.  Parents 
planting trees for the benefit or their sons and daughters is a powerful symbol of 
the present taking care of the future.  But more than its symbolism, the sheer 
number of families we have in the Philippines would mean that we can potentially 
plant millions of trees. 
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippines has a total 
household of 26,393,906 in 2020.  If we could plant as many trees as we have our 
number of households, we would surely recover some of our forest cover. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bills is earnestly sought. 
JANE T. CASTRO 
Representative 
2nd District of Capiz 
August 12, 2025
4:05 pm
3585


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill Number __________ 
Introduced by REP. JANE T. CASTRO 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES FOR EVERY CHILD 
BORN TO THEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Family Tree 
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Planting Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to 
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protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful 
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ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end, the 
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State shall promote and pursue reforestation programs and encourage tree planting 
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as part of the family’s responsibility and legacy to protect the environment and 
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conserve our natural resources for the future generation. 
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SEC. 3. Mandatory Tree Planting. – All parents residing in the Philippines 
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whether legally married or not, shall be required to plant two (2) trees for every 
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child born to them. These trees shall be planted within the premises of their own 
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home. If not possible, trees shall be planted in an area to be designated by the 
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Barangay Council where they reside, with the approval of the Department of 
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Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The planted species should be 
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appropriate to the location, climate and topography of the area, with preference for 
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the planting of indigenous species and fruit-bearing trees. 
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SEC. 4. Provision of Seedlings. – The Community Environment and 
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Natural  Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR and the Department  of 
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Agriculture (DA), in partnership with local government units (LGUs) throughout 
 
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the Philippines, shall maintain a seedling bank that shall provide seedlings to 
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parents planting the trees in accordance with this Act. 
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SEC. 5. Tree Planting as a Requirement for Birth Certificate Release. – 
 
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To ensure compliance with this Act, the Local Civil Registry where the birth of the 
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child shall be registered, shall release the Certificate of Live Birth of the child only 
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upon the presentation of the parents’ sworn statement of compliance: Provided, 
 
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however, That a certificate of compliance from the DENR or the LGU concerned 
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shall suffice the requirement for the release of the Certificate of Live Birth of the 
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child. Planting of the trees must be done within thirty (30) days after the child’s 
 
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birth. Longer compliance period maybe provided for parents under extraordinary 
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circumstances such as solo parent or physically incapacitated to perform such 
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activity. 
 
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SEC. 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial 
 
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implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s 
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appropriations of the departments and agencies concerned. Thereafter, the funding 
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of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 


 
 
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The LGU concerned may set aside funds from any local revenue an amount 
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deemed appropriate for the implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR shall, in consultation with the 
 
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Department of the Interior and Local Government, DA, the Philippine Statistics 
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Authority  (PSA) and  the Department of Social  Welfare and  Development, 
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promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – Should any portion or provision of this Act 
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be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof shall continue 
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to be enforced. 
 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of 
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implementation, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any 
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provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended 
 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,