Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

461

H. B. No.

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article Il Section 16 of the Constitution states that: “The State shall protect and advance
the right of the people to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with rhythm and harmony of
nature.”

Under prevailing urban conditions, however, it appears that enjoyment by workers and
their families of their rest days have been less than pleasurable. Even a cursory survey of the
urban landscapes reveals that there are no accessible and affordable public places or parks
where the workers and their families could enjoy themselves during their periods of rest and
recreation. Today, workers and their families are constrained to go “malling" in the various
metropolitan shopping centers whose open areas afford them some breathing spaces.

With the passage of this bill, it is hoped that more piblic parks can be created and

JUAN EDGARDO/*SONNY” M. ANGARA

Representative
Lone District, Province of Aurora

enjoyed by the people.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE +).
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

H.B.No. 461

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARKS AND MINI-PARKS IN
BARANGAYS, MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES AND PROVINCES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known and cited as the "Philippine Parks and
Mini-Parks Development Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the national policy to build parks
and mini-parks in barangays, municipalities, cities and provinces to promote balanced and

healthful ecology as well as to beautify and enhance the environment.

SEC. 3. Scope. This Act shall cover all barangays, municipalities, cities and provinces
in the country,

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following definitions shall apply:

a. Environment - the surroundings; all the conditions, circumstances and influences

surrounding and affecting the development of an organism or group of organisms;

b. Parks and mini-parks - an open space for leisure, recreation and promenade where
soft (.e., plants, trees) and hard (i.e., pavement, benches) landscape may be found;

SEC. 5. Objectives. Pursuant to the policy declared herein, it is the objective of this
Act;

a. To build, develop and maintain parks and mini-parks in all barangays, municipalities,
cities, and provinces: and

b. To provide a scenic environment in major areas of the country


SEC. 6. National Committee. A National Parks and Mini-Parks Development
Committee is hereby created with the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) as Chairman and the respective secretaries of the Department of Local and-
Interior Government (DILG), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), through the
Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), as members. The National Committee shall initiate,
coordinate and monitor all the activities of parks and mini-parks development

The National Committee shall tap any or all government agencies, corporations and
instrumentalities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), peoples organizations (POs), the
Governor's League of the Philippines, Mayor's League of the Philippines and the Barangay
Associations of the Philippines as local committees to provide resources and assistance in the
implementation of this Act.

The National Committee shall have the power to promulgate the pertinent rules and
regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the objectives and purposes of this Act

within a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from approval hereof.

SEC. 7. Specific Functions of the Executive Departments, For the purpose of
carrying out effectively the provisions of this Act,

a) ‘The DPWH shall:
1. Provide the necessary technical data with respect to the classification, location,
condition, and length of all existing vacant public lots in barangays,

municipalities, cities and provinces;

2. Provide the necessary tools, equipment, and manpower to effect, the
development of parks and mini-parks;

b) The DILG shall:
1. Mobilize all local government units (LGUs) to ensure prompt and effective
implementation of this Act in every barangay, municipality, city and province in

the country;

2. Effect the apprehension and prosecution of all persons violating the provisions of
this Act;

©) The DENR shall


1. Determine the suitable species of trees and provide seeds or saplings to be
planted in the parks and mini-parks, suited to the kind, classification, and
condition of the area,

2. Provide for effective measures and ways for the optimum maintenance of parks
and mini-parks and the healthy growth of trees and plants in the same;

d) The DOT through the PTA shall:

1. Assist in the conceptualization, design and site-evaluation of parks and miniparks
in barangays, municipalities, cities and provinces; and

2. Provide effective measures and ways for the optimum maintenance of parks and
mini-parks.

SEC. 8. Prohibited Acts. No cutting and destroying of trees and plants found in the
parks and mini-parks shall be permitted except when the cutting and destroying of the same is
necessary for public safety. Likewise, littering in and destroying of the structures in the parks
and mini-parks are strictly prohibited.

SEC. 9. Persons Liable and Penalties. Any person who destroys, damages or litters
the parks and mini-parks shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six months to not
more than one year or a fine of not less than Three Thousand Pesos (3,000.00) to not more
than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00), or with both such imprisonment and fine, at the
discretion of the court.

SEC. 10. Submission of Reports. The National Committee shall within ninety (90)
days after the approval of this Act and every one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter submit
periodic reports to both Houses of Congress of the Philippines for evaluation and consideration.

SEC. 11. Funding. The fund needed for the implementation of the park and mini-parks
development in this Act shall be taken from any available appropriations in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA) for the year; Provided, thaf funds for this purpose shall also be
included in the GAA for the following year and every year thereafter; Provided, finally, that there
shall be equitable and proportionate appropriations of funds annually for' this purpose for all
barangays, municipalities, cities and provinces. In addition, adequate portion of financial grants
and concessional loans extended to the Philippines by foreign governments and multilateral
agencies shall be allocated to augment the annual appropriations.


SEC. 12. Separability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, such declaration of unconstitutionality shall not affect the other provisions of
this Act.

SEC. 13. Amending and Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules, and regulations,

or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14, Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least

two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,