Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

429

HOUSE BILL NO. =

Introduced by REP. ALFREDO “ALBEE” B. BENITEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Worldwide Fund asserted that “the Philippines is considered as one of the
most vulnerable countries to climate change. With impacts ranging from extreme
weather events and periodic inundation to droughts and food scarcity, climate change
has been a constant reality that many Filipinos have had to face”.

While there have been laudable efforts from the government to implement both
adaptation and risk reduction programs, there must still be an active effort to instill the
urgency to care for the environment to the people, especially among the youth.

This bill seeks to amend and add provisions in Republic Act 10176 that would
heighten public awareness on the issue of climate change and environment protection.
Specifically, the bill sets the last Monday of June as the annual Arbor Day and mandates
public elementary and high schools to observe Arbor Day. The involvement of young
people in environment programs is a step towards sustainability of government
interventions on environment protection.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

=

‘LFREDO “ALBEE”/B. BENITEZ.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
429

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. ALFREDO “ALBEE” B, BENITEZ

AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10176, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS “AN ACT REVIVING THE OBSERVANCE OF ARBOR DAY BY
AUTHORIZING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR
CELEBRATING THE DAY FOR TREE PLANTING AS AN ANNUAL EVENT"

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

Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10176 is hereby amended

to read as follows:

Section 2. xxx

It is hereby mandated that all provinces, cities and municipalities with their
component barangays shall be required to [revive, by appropriate proclamation
of their respective local chief executives, LEAD IN THE OBSERVATION OF an
Arbor Day [at an appropriate fixed date every calendar year as shall be deemed
suitable according to the proper time and season for planting trees in the
respective provinces and their respective component municipalities or cities
concerned. Although adoption of uniform dates for every province and its
component municipalities and cities shall be encouraged, varying dates for Arbor
Day celebrations may be permitted in order to afford flexibility in planning and
in implementing tree planting programs to adjust to the proper time and period
of the year most suited to the trees selected to be planted, and as local budgetary
allotments shall allow.] IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
AND ALLOCATE NECESSARY RESOURCES FOR THE PREPARATIONS AND
IMPLEMENTATION.

SEC. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10176 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 4. Proclamation of Arbor Day. - All provinces, cities and municipalities
with their component barangays shall be required to declare THE LAST MONDAY OF


THE MONTH OF JUNE EVERY YEAR 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 conducive to the proper tune 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, That the Arbor Day
designated shall be declared as a public working 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. 3. There shall be two new Sections inserted after Section 10 of Republic Act No.
10176 to read as follows:

“SECTION 11. OBSERVATION OF ARBOR DAY IN ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS - THE DEPED SHALL MANDATE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND
HIGH SCHOOLS TO DECLARE A WHOLE DAY HOLIDAY TO OBSERVE ARBOR DAY.
SCHOOLS SHALL REQUIRE STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRI /ANTING
ACTIVITY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS. EACH STUDENT SHALL BE REQUIRED.
TO PLANT A MINIMUM OF TEN (10) SEEDLINGS PER YEAR IN AREAS DETERMI
BY THEIR LGUs.

SECTION 12. PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR. - THE
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AS THE LEAD AGENCY
THAT WILL ST LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN THE ARBOR DAY
CELEBRATIONS, IS HEREBY GIVEN AUTHORITY TO FORGE PARTNERSHIPS WITH
THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE ARBOR DAY.”

TION 13. APPROPRIATIONS. ~ THE AMOUNT NECESSARY FOR THE
FUNDING OF THE SEEDLINGS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS SHALL BE FUNDED OUT OF THE APPROPRIATIONS OF THE BPI AND PCA
AND THE REFORESTATION PROGRAM OF DENR UNDER THE CURRENT
APPROPRIATIONS ACT. THEREAFTER, THIS ITEM SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE
ANNUAL GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT.”

4, Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10176 is hereby renumbered as Section 13 and all
succeeding sections of the same Act are hereby renumbered accordingly.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred eighty (180) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the DILG, DENR, DEPED and other relevant agencies,
shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to effectively implement the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances or regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby revised or amended accordingly.



SEC. 7. Separability Clause.- If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, such parts or provisions thereof not so declared shall remain valid and

subsisting.
SEC. 8.Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,