REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

nt 5836

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond V. Palatino

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Owing to the institution's mandate and capacity to mobilize the youth towards
participation in the governance process, the Sangguniang Kabataan can be tapped by both
national and local governments to implement programs and projects that are in tune with the
needs of the times. However, a criticism often leveled at the Sangguniang Kabataan is its lack
of vision and oversight in terms of coming up with innovative and much-needed projects that
take into consideration the needs of communities these young leaders have vowed to serve.

Today is a time when we painfully witness the effects of timeworn and destructive
environmental policies that the govemment has long been espousing and blindly
implementing. From landslides, typhoons, earthquakes and other disasters, both natural and
man-made, we have witnessed the loss of lives and properties that could have been
prevented or at least minimized if a clear and proper environmental and disaster management
program is in place. And yet it is also during this time when we see how the citizens, the youth
in particular, can step up and rise to the occasion by being at the forefront of relief and rescue
missions. We must not, however, confine ourselves to post-disaster intervention and
involvement. The youth must do their part in fighting and working for a society that gives
importance to environmental protection and conservation and disaster preparedness.

While the Local Government Code of 1991 vests in the Sangguniang Kabataan the
authority to promulgate resolutions necessary to carry out the objectives of the youth and to
coordinate with the appropriate national agency for the implementation of youth development
projects and programs in the national level, the same does not specifically mandate the SK
with the power to implement projects and programs related to environmental protection and
disaster preparedness in their respective barangays. This bill seeks to mandate the
Sangguniang Kabataan to implement environmental protection and disaster preparedness
and response projects in order to mould young leaders at the local level to be more pro-active
in environmental issues that warrant greater attention and engagement

In light of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought

HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO
Representative, Kabataan Partylist


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

- 5836

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond V. Palatino

AN ACT
DEFINING THE ROLE OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN IN
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT
PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9729

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

SECTION 1. Section 426 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the “Local Government Code of
1991" is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 426: Powers and Functions of the Sangguniang Kabataan, - The
Sangguniang Kabataan shall

(a) Xxx

(b) Initiate programs designed to enhance the social, political, economic,
cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual and physical development of the
members;

THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN SHALL INITIATE AND IMPLEMENT IN
THEIR RESPECTIVE BARANGAYS PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, CLIMATE CHANGE AND
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE, SUCH AS, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, TREE PLANTING, COASTAL CLEANUPS, SOLID WASTE
DISPOSAL, LECTURES AND TRAININGS ON DISASTER RISK
REDUCTION, AND SUCH OTHER PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS.

IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TREE PLANTING PROGRAM, THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES SHALL
DETERMINE THE KINDS OF TREE MOST ADAPTABLE TO THE AREA
CONCERNED AND PROVIDE THE SEEDLING THEREFOR. THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS CONCERNED, ON THE OTHER HAND, SHALL


IDENTIFY THE SITES WHERE THE TREES WILL BE PLANTED.

IN THE URBAN CENTERS WHERE TREE PLANTING IS NO LONGER
FEASIBLE, THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN SHALL IMPLEMENT A
“GREENING” PROGRAM IN SITES IDENTIFIED BY THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS CONCERNED WITH RESPECT TO SOLID
WASTE DISPOSAL. THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND
NATURAL RESOURCES SHALL PROVIDE THE TECHNOLOGY AND
ASSIST THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN AS WELL AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNIT CONCERNED IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION,
SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED FOR IN EXISTING
LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS.

IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS RELATED
TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE, THE NATIONAL.
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT CENTER AND LOCAL,
GOVERNMENT UNITS CONCERNED SHALL PROVIDE THE
NECESSARY ASSISTANCE TO THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN SUCH
AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE CREATION OF A DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE MODULE FOR YOUTH
VOLUNTEERS, AND SEMINARS AND LECTURES ON DISASTER
MANAGEMENT;

(c) Xxx
(d) Xxx

(e) XXx
(f) XXX

(g) Coordinate with the appropriate national agency for the implementation
of youth development projects and programs at the national level,

“(g-1) COORDINATE WITH THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY OF THE
GOVERNMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
BARANGAYS OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
AND RESPONSE, SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TREE PLANTING,
COASTAL CLEANUPS, SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, LECTURES AND
TRAININGS ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, AND SUCH OTHER
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN
MAY IMPLEMENT IN THE FUTURE.

(h) Xxx.

(i) Xxx

SECTION 2. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9729 or the “Climate Change Act of 2009” is

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hereby amended to read as follows:

(a) Ensure the mainstreaming of climate change, in synergy with disaster risk
reduction, into the national, sectoral and local development plans and
programs;

THE COMMISSION SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE SANGGUNIANG
KABATAAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
BARANGAYS OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
AND RESPONSE, SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TREE PLANTING,
COASTAL CLEANUPS, SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, LECTURES AND
TRAININGS ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, AND SUCH OTHER
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN
MAY IMPLEMENT IN THE FUTURE.

SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the

completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,