House approves bill on mandatory tree planting for building permit applicants
The plenary hall of the House of Representatives. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — A bill requiring building permit applicants to plant trees to alleviate the effects of climate change has been approved by the House of Representatives on the third and final reading.
The lower chamber unanimously approved House Bill (HB) No. 8569 — which requires a Tree Planting Plan (TPP) to secure building permits for residential, commercial, industrial, and public building developments — at the plenary session on Wednesday.
“Under the bill, any person, firm, corporation, department, office, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the government intending to construct, alter, repair or convert any building or structure, is required to set aside, and properly maintain in said property, areas adequate for planting and maintaining trees and flora,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said.
“[The bill] also specifies the contents of the TPP, including the species to be planted,” he added.
Romualdez likewise said that Section 4 of the bill prefers planting indigenous species of trees in locations or topography of areas where they can thrive.
On the other hand, non-vigorously growing endemic ornamental plants or trees and fruit-bearing trees are recommended for residential lots.
