The natural beauty of Albay’s scenic hills provides the perfect view for some 400 participants who are making their way through paths to plant various trees during the nationwide tree-planting activity of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (Photo: DENR)
MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives unanimously approved on third reading the proposed law aimed at enhancing the nationwide tree-planting program.
House Bill (HB) No. 8568 received a vote of 233 to three during Tuesday’s session, amending various sections of Republic Act (RA) No.10176, better known as the “Arbor Day Act of 2012.”
The revised Section 2 of RA No.10176, as proposed by HB No.8568, emphasizes the joint efforts of the State and its citizenry. It states, “There is a need for a corroborated effort between the State and its citizenry to combat the loss of our natural resources and rejuvenate our environment by rehabilitating degraded forest land areas, improving soil fertility and land productivity, and reducing soil erosion especially in the rural and upland areas.”
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, leader of the 311-strong House, emphasized the bill’s importance, saying, “Through this bill, we recognize the vital role and importance of trees in ecological stability,” said Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. “I think we need trees more than trees need us.”
The updated legislation suggests amendments to Sections 3 and 9 and introduces new sections 11-A and 11-B. It maintains the law’s mandate for all provinces, cities, and municipalities to celebrate Arbor Day annually as declared by their respective local chief executives.
Principal authors of the bill include Reps. Dante Garcia, Noel Rivera, Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, and others.
HB No.8568 enhances the Arbor Day Committee across local government units (LGUs), proposing the addition of field officers from the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). This committee comprises representatives from various departments, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepED), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and several others.
The legislation mandates the DENR to aid LGUs in pinpointing areas suitable for planting trees and plants, including bamboo. Ancestral domains, public school premises, public lands, and private areas (with owner consent) are considered potential tree-planting locations.
The bill tasks the DILG with monitoring the enforcement of RA No.10176 and providing an annual report to the Congressional Oversight Committee. Similarly, the DENR will present an annual report detailing tree-planting appropriate areas in each LGU.
The Congressional Oversight Committee, established by the bill, will oversee the implementation of RA No.10176. Chairpersons of various committees from both the House of Representatives and the Senate will co-chair and comprise this committee.
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