MANILA, Philippines — Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill requiring all dealers, retailers, and other entities engaged in motor vehicle sales to plant at least 10 trees for every unit sold.
The planting of trees, according to Lapid in a statement on Saturday, shall be accomplished within six months from the date of the sale.
Lapid said Senate Bill No. 1938 seeks to “contribute to the reforestation efforts of the government.”
The senator also cited that the emission produced by motor vehicles contributes not only to air pollution but also to the environment’s destruction.
“Hindi naman lingid sa ating kaalaman na kabilang sa nagpapadumi ng ating hangin at kasama na rin sa dahilan ng pagkasira ng ating kalikasan ay ang mga sasakyan at ang ibinubuga nitong usok,” Lapid said.
(It’s not new to everyone that among the smoke coming from cars no only our air, but is also the reason why our environment is slowly being destroyed.)
“Ngayon ramdam na natin ang tindi ng galit ng kalikasan lalo na sa panahon ng mga sakuna gaya ng bagyo kaya ngayon na rin ang tamang panahon na sa tingin ko ay dapat na aksyunan natin ang problemang ito,” he added, citing the three consecutive typhoons the country faced, namely Typhoon Quinta, Super Typhoon Rolly, and Typhoon Ulysses.
(Now we face mother nature’s wrath, most especially in times of crisis such as typhoons, that is why it is the right time to act on this.)
In Lapid’s bill, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) “shall be tasked with the enforcement and monitoring of obligations imposed under this measure.”
Those who fail to meet the tree planting requirement shall be made to pay a fine not exceeding P10,000 for every tree not planted, Lapid said.
Repeated non-compliance for two years within a five year period shall result in a fine not exceeding P20,000 for the outstanding number of trees not planted within the said period, while repeated non-compliance for three or more years within a five-year period shall result in the closure of the business, and be fined not exceeding P30,000 for the outstanding number of trees not planted within the said period.