EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1980
21 jwn2 PI SO
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
MANDATING THE SUBMISSION OF A GREENING PLAN AS A 
REQUIREMENT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Experts believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is a result of environmental 
degradation. More specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic, which is being felt all over 
the globe, is a consequence of the disturbance of ecosystems by humans, which 
ended with the transmission of a pathogen to a human population.1 As of January 7 
2021, 87,231,223 persons have already been infected with COVID-19, and some 
1,884,312 persons have died from the virus.2 Meanwhile, as of January 6,2021, there 
are 480,737 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with 9,347 fatalities.3
Ironically, this same pandemic, which resulted from environmental degradation, 
is in turn, causing further destruction of nature. Medical waste alone generated by the 
Philippines has increased from 12,495 metric tons to 19,187 metric tons from April 29, 
2020 to July 22, 2020.4
The environmental problems generated by the pandemic necessitates our 
government and citizenry to work together in boosting ecological sustainability. While 
the pandemic has been a bane in terms of economic activity, it has presented 
numerous opportunities for our government and our citizens to reconsider how we 
treat the environment.
This bill, which mandates the submission of a greening plan prior to the issuance of a 
building permit, is one way of promoting environmental sustainability. Under this bill.
1 https://www.crowlherlab.com/covid-19-and-the-environment-causes-and-consequer>ces/
2 https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
3 https://ncovtracker.doh.gov.ph/
4 https://earthjoumaIism.net/stories/in-the-philippines-medical-waste-piles-up-as-covid-19-cases-rise


a greening plan, must include a short-term, mid-term, and long-term plan on the 
conservation of the areas subject of the tree-planting or greening program, such as 
the maintenance of the tree cover, the replenishment of seedlings, protection against 
calamities, soil erosion, and other environmental factors, monitoring mechanisms, and 
other details pertinent to the implementation of the greening plan. This measure also 
lays the blueprint for the promotion of green design and architecture for future projects.
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1980
of!!;(' fi'.-crrtsr.p
21 JAN 12 PI SO
R'C:'
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
MANDATING THE SUBMISSION OF A GREENING PLAN AS A 
REQUIREMENT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 Greening 
Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the policy of the State to promote 
urban greening by requiring applicants of a building permit to create and 
execute a greening plan in line with the constitutional directive to protect and 
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord 
with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
SEC. 3. Requirement of Greening Plan. - All applicants for building permits 
of any development project are required to submit a greening plan, in addition 
to other requirements imposed by local government units. The greening pian 
shail also be required for the alteration, repair, or conversion of buildings which 
require a buiiding permit.
SEC. 4. Contents of Greening Plan. - The greening plan shall include, but not 
be limited to, the foliowing:
a. 
The total land area of the building project;
b. 
The iay-out of the iand area devoted for tree-planting or greening within 
the iand area of the building program or project, which shouid be at least 
20 percent of the latter; Provided, that floor areas in a multi-storey building 
project may be counted to fulfill the 20 percent requirement.


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c. 
The species of the trees or plants to be included in the design, which shall 
take Into account the biodiversity of the area or locality where the building 
project is situated;
d. 
The plan shall take into consideration the recommendations and best 
practices on the use of plant species, and other relevant greening 
methodologies in the area concerned from the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the local government unit 
where the building project is located, experts from the academe, the 
scientific community, non-government organizations, the members of the 
community, and other stakeholders concerned; and
e. 
A short-term, mid-term, and long-term plan on the conservation of the 
areas subject of the tree-planting or greening program, such as the 
maintenance of the tree cover, the replenishment of seedlings, protection 
against calamities, soil erosion, and other environmental factors, 
monitoring mechanisms, and other details pertinent to the implementation 
of the greening plan.
SEC. 5. Requirement of Indigenous Species. - The greening plan required 
under this Act shall include indigenous species of trees, plants, or shrubs, 
taking into account the recommendations of the DENR and other stakeholders 
mentioned in Section 4(d) of this Act, as well as the location, climate, and 
topography of the area.
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR, in coordination 
with the Department of Interior and Local Government, the unions of local 
government units, and other relevant stakeholders, shall formulate the 
implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act 
within 120 days after the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations 
or any part thereof inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shali be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other 
parts hereof which shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shali take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at ieast two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier.
Approved,