*i 1 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC I 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senate President Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Trees are nature’s lungs. The oxygen they produce help control air 
pollution, so that it is only right to nurture and cherish them. The environment 
is crying out for our attention, love and nurturing and is hurting due to our 
negligence. The wanton destruction and cutting of trees have largely 
contributed to the deterioration and degradation of our environment. 
The denudation of our forests has led to the loss of the natural 
protection that forest provides from the destruction of floods, typhoons, 
erosions and destruction of watersheds. Flash floods and soil erosion have 
become the country’s greatest problems, leaving billions of pesos worth of 
damage to properties and numerous human lives lost. Indeed, there is a need 
to replenish our tree resources in order to curve the effects of global warming, 
save our watersheds from drying up, prevent landslides and flashfloods, and 
prevent our lands from depleting its nutrients thru soil erosion. 
Restoring our forest cover to protect and preserve the environment 
should be at the core of every governmental agenda. However, tree planting has 
not been given the importance that it deserves. During the last century, a 
specific day every year was set aside to be dedicated to tree planting when 
standing trees were deemed insufficient for beautification and ecological 
purposes. Since then, the celebration became known as Arbor Day. It is the 
day to praise Mother Nature for the bounty of lush greeneries it offers and a 
day for individuals to renew their commitment to protect the environment. ’ 
In the Philippines, President Arroyo, issued Proclamation No. 643 dated 
June 9, 2004 amending Proclamation No. 396 dated June 2, 2003, declaring 
every 25th of June as Philippines Arbor Day to be observed nationwide by 
planting trees and ornamental plants and other forms of related activities. The 
said Proclamation however, did not address the issue of forest denudation nor 
help in promoting a healthier ecosystem for the people. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to declare an Arbor Day in the Philippines, 
mandating all local government units to set aside one day each calendar year 
for the planting of trees. It aims to enlist the participation of the various sectors 
of society in restoring the grandeur of our forest lands. Indeed, there is really a 
need for a collaborative effort between the State and its citizenry to fulfill the 
constitutional mandate that: “The State shall protect and advance the right of 
the people to a balaficed and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
harmony of nature.” 
Considering the significance of Arbor Day and the current relevance of 
giving impetus to forest conservation, early 
this bill is earnestly 
sought. 


*>PI 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
i .  ii 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senate President Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
AUTHORIZING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO DECLARE A DAY 
DEDICATED TO TREE PLANTING TO BE KNOWN AS “ARBOR DAY”, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
‘ 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SEC. 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Arbor Day Act of 
2007.” 
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 balance and healthful 
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end, 
the vital role and importance of trees in ecological stability is recognized. 
Hence, there is a need for a collaborated effort between the State and its 
citizenry to combat the loss of our natural resources and rejuvenate our 
environment by undertaking a nationwide tree-planting activities and providing 
effective measures for their maintenance and sustainability. 
SEC. 3. Coverage - This Act shall apply to all provinces, cities, 
municipalities and their component barangays. 
SEC. 4. Proclamation of Arbor Day - All provinces, cities and 
municipalities with their component barangays shall be required to declare an 
Arbor Day or Tree-planting Day, by appropriate proclamation of their respective 
local chief executive through an ordinance passed by the respective local 
Sanggunian, at a fixed date every calendar year as shall be deemed condtlcive 
to the proper time and season for planting trees in the respective localities. 
Although adoption of uniform dates for its celebration shall be encouraged, 


varying dates may be allowed in order to afford flexibility in the planning and 
implementing of the programs for tree planting. 
Provided, however: That the Arbor Day designated may be declared as a 
public holiday in order to ensure the participation of the different sectors of 
society and such declaration may be embodied in the proclamation that local 
chief executives are authorized to do under this Act. 
SEC. 5. 
Creation of Arbor Day Committee - There shall be created 
in every province, city and municipality an Arbor Day Celebration Committee 
the composition of which shall be selected by the concerned local chief 
executive. The members shall preferably, composed of field officers of various 
government agencies,based in the locality, but not limited to the following: 
Local Sanggunian; 
Local Environment and Natural Resources Office ; 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); 
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI); 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
Department of Education (DepEd); 
Commission.on Higher Education (CHED); 
Department of Agriculture (DA); 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); 
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); 
Department of Tourism (DOT); 
Philippine National Police (PNP); 
Liga ng mga Barangay; 
Civic Organizations; 
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK); and 
Media Associations. 
SEC. 6. 
Supply and Distribution of Seedlings - The Bureau of Plant 
Industry (BPI) shall supply and distribute the seedlings to the local government 
units for the Tree Planting Program. 


SEC. 7. Planting of Trees - All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, 
who are at least 12 years of age, shall be required to plant one tree every year. 
SEC. 8. Areas Covered by Tree Planting - The tree planting activities 
shall be done in any of the following areas: 
Private Lands; 
Public school grounds, gardens or other available areas within the 
school premises; 
Idle or vacant public lands; 
Public parks in urban and rural areas; 
Public lands such as roadside, along city and municipal streets 
and highways; and 
Private schools, parks and lands with the consent of the owner 
thereof. 
SEC. 9. Maintenance of Trees - The Barangay Officials and deputized 
non-governmental organizations shall be responsible for the maintenance of 
such trees. 
SEC. 10. 
Information and Monitoring - For information and 
monitoring purposes, all local government units shall submit to the 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the actual date of the 
Arbor Day Celebration in their respective locality. 
SEC. 11. Funding - For the initial implementation of this Act, there is 
hereby authorized to be created a fund to be derived from the budget of the 
Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG) not otherwise 
appropriated. Thereafter, said funds shall be included in the annual budget of 
this department. 
Sec. 12. 
Iaplementing Rules - The Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), in coordination with the local government units and the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), shall promulgate 
the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 


SEC. 13. 
Separability Clause -If any provision of this Act or any part 
thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not 
affected thereby shall continue in full force and effect. 
SEC. 14. 
Repealing 
Clause 
- 
All 
laws, 
presidential 
decrees, 
proclamations, 
executive orders, or regulations and other issuances 
inconsistent with the provisions and/or purposes of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 15. 
Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the official gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers 
of general circulation'. 
Approved,