FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3191 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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To date we are still recovering from the onslaught of tragedies of the super typhoons 
that killed hundreds of lives including kids and infants. The experience with typhoon 
"Ondoy" on September 26, 2009, that almost deleted the Philippines' Capital on the world 
map is a manifestation of the changing times that could be directly attributed to the global 
warming phenomenpn. 
The phenomenon presupposes the extinction of Earth and mankind as global 
warming progresses with its devastating effects. The need for Global cooperation 
necessitates action in all sectors and requires our local action to prevent further 
environmental degradation as a means to counter the ill effect of the unpredictability of 
weather conditions. 
It has been widely discussed that man made developments contributes to the 
deterioration of the environment requiring an immediate policy to address sustainability of 
the environment, 
inculcate and reinforce the plan of action as we need to adopt and 
salvage changing tide. Integral to our human development is the need to enliven the value 
of preserving and sustaining our environment in our pedagogical processes, which could 
take place primarily in our educational system. 
It is for these reasons that we have crafted this bill. The main aim of this bill is to 
impart knowledge in young children and encourage them to understand their social 
responsibility at their early age, in particular the importance for the care of the environment. 
By way of planting trees and interaction with their surroundings we can start introducing, 
cultivating and having placed the value and appreciation for life. 
Approval of the bill is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3191 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
COMPELLING INTERMEDIATE GRADE SCHOOLERS, SECONDARY, VOCATIONAL 
AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO PLANT TREES IN AN OPEN SPACE OF THE 
COMMUNITY AS PART OF THEIR CURRICULUM AND AS PREREQUISITES FOR 
GRADUATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
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 "Green Community Act of 
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2012." 
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy - The State shall protect and advance the right of 
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the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of 
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nature. 
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Section 3. All intermediate grade schoolers, secondary, college and all vocational 
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students are hereby required to plant trees as part of their school curricula and as pre-
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requisite for graduation. 
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Section 4. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
lOa.) 
"Student" refers to the subject of this Act particularly those in the 
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intermediate schools (Grade V, VI or VII as the case may be), 
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secondary, vocational schools offers two (2) years technical 
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vocational courses, and college levels whether in the public or 
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private learning institution. 
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b.) "Open Spaces" refers to an area reserved exclusively for parks, 
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playgrounds, recreational uses, schools, roads, places of worship, 
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hospitals, health centers, barangay centers and other similar facilities and 
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amenities. 
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Section 5. Tress shall be planted and maintained in open spaces, in case the 
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school does not have an open spaces for tree planting, the schools may adopt a 
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certain community for this purpose. 
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Section 6. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the 
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schools shall determine the number of trees to be planted, the variety of trees to be planted 
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and their distribution, and the size of the open space established in a community or in the 
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adopt community. 
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Section 7. Incentives. - The schools of the participating program shall be entitled to 
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the following incentives: 
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(a.) 
Free tree and plant seedlings and free technical assistance in the 
development and maintenance of the green community provided by DENR 
and the Department of Agriculture (DA) and their attached agencies: Provided 
that the school shall be responsible for any mortality in the seedlings planted; 
and 
(b.) 
Free artesian well and free tools and implements to be used exclusively used 
for the development and maintenance of the green community and to be 
provided by the City or municipal government having jurisdiction over the 
proposed green community. 
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Section 8. Requirements. - In order to avail of the aforementioned incentives, the 
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school shall submit to the DENR the requirements for the development and maintenance of 
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the green community, which shall include: 
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(a.) 
A planting plan indicating the types of trees and plants, preferably of 
indigenous or endemic species of medicinal value that are intended to be 
planted and grown in the community. 
(b.) 
A plan for the maintenance of the green community, to ensure its ecological 
viability, as well as evidence of actual application thereof. 
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Section 9. Ecological Standards. - The DENR shall promulgate the standards to 
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ensure that the green community instituted creates a balanced and healthful ecology within 
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the community. 
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Section 10. Issuance of Certification. - Upon submission of all the requirements 
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by the schools, the DENR shall issue a certification that the development and maintenance 
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plans meet the ecological standards set. This Certification shall be the basis, upon 
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application by the schools with the proper agency or authority, for the grant of incentives 
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provided under this Act. 
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Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of Department 
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of Education, the Commissioner on Higher Education and the Director General of Technical 
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Education and Skills Development Authority in consultation with the Department of the 
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Interior Local Government, Non-government Organization, Department of Environment and 
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Natural Resources shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the 
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effective implementation of this Act not later than two (2) months from the effectivity of this 
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law. 
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Section 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
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proclamations and/or administrative regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
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this Act, are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed accordingly. 
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Section 13. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
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void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions thereof shall not be affected by 
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such declaration. 
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Section 14. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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