Saltate Office of the Sortuetary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 NOV 11 P3:49 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1501 S. No. _ Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN SPACES IN BARANGAYS, MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, AND PROVINCES NATIONWIDE EXPLANATORY NOTE Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides that "The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with rhythm and harmony of nature". Beyond meeting basic needs, human well-being also depends on access to spaces that promote mental relief, social interaction, and physical activity. In an increasingly fast-paced and stressful world, green spaces are essential to our health and well-being. They offer a place to pause, to play, to gather, and to reconnect with nature amid the pressures of daily life. Green and open spaces are not mere aesthetic additions to the built environment. They are essential public goods that reflect society's values and commitment to quality of life. Investing in such spaces promotes physical and mental wellness, encourages deeper community bonds, improves air quality, and mitigates the effects of climate change. This proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the planning, development, and preservation of public green spaces in all barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces as a matter of national policy.
Under this bill, the State shall provide for the construction, development, and preservation of public green spaces at no expense to the people. It is therefore recommended that the foregoing bill be approved. CAMILLE A. VILLAR
Senate Office of the Scretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 NOV 11 P3:49 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1501 Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN SPACES IN BARANGAYS, MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, AND PROVINCES NATIONWIDE Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 1 Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public Green Spaces Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
establish and develop green spaces in barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces to promote a balanced and healthful ecology as well as to beautify and enhance the 5 environment.
Sec. 3. Scope. - This Act shall cover all barangays, municipalities, cities, and
provinces in the country.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following definitions shall
apply: a. Environment refers to the surroundings, all the conditions, = circumstances, and influences surrounding and affecting the development of an organism or group of organisms; and b. Green Spaces are open spaces for leisure, recreation, and promenade where soft (e.g. plants and trees) and hard (e.g. pavement, benches) landscape may be found.
b. Green Spaces are open spaces for leisure, recreation, and promenade where soft (e.g. plants and trees) and hard (e.g. pavement, benches) landscape may be found.
Sec. 5. Objectives. - Pursuant to the policy declared herein, it is the objective
of this Act to: a. Build, develop, and maintain green spaces in all barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces; b. Provide a scenic environment in major areas of the country; and C. Encourage the creation of green spaces in the country.
Sec. 6. National Committee. - A Green Space Development Committee is
hereby created with the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as Chairman and the respective secretaries of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), as members. The National Committee shall initiate, coordinate, and monitor all the activities of green space development. The National Committee shall tap any or all government agencies, corporations, and instrumentalities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), peoples organizations (POs), the Governor's League of the Philippines, Mayor's League of the Philippines, and the Barangay Associations of the Philippines as local committees to provide resources and assistance in the implementation of this Act. The National Committee shall have the power to promulgate the pertinent rules and regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the objectives and purposes of this Act within a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from approval 30 hereof.
Sec. 7. Specific Functions of the Executive Departments. — For the purpose of
2 carrying out effectively the provisions of this Act, a. The DPWH shall: 1. Provide the necessary technical data with respect to the classification, location, condition, and length of all existing vacant public lots in barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces; and 2. Provide the necessary tools, equipment, and manpower to effect, the development of green spaces. b. The DILG shall: 1. Mobilize all local government units (LGUs) to ensure prompt and effective implementation of this Act in every barangay, municipality, city, and province in the country; and 2. Effect the apprehension and prosecution of all persons violating the provisions of this Act. c. The DENR shall: 1. Determine the suitable species of trees and provide seeds or saplings to be planted in the green spaces, suited to the kind, classification, and condition of the area; and 2. Provide for effective measures and ways for the optimum maintenance of green spaces and the healthy growth of the trees and plants in the same. d. The DOT through the PTA shall: 1. Assist in the conceptualization, design, and site-evaluation of green spaces in barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces; and
2. Provide effective measures and ways for the optimum maintenance of green spaces.
Sec. 8. Prohibited Acts. - No cutting and destroying of trees and plants found
in the green spaces shall be permitted except when the cutting and destroying of the 5 same is necessary for public safety. Likewise, littering in and destroying of the 6 structures in the green spaces are strictly prohibited.
Sec. 9. Persons Liable and Penalties. - Any person who destroys, damages, or
8 litters the green spaces shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) 9 months to not more than one (1) year or a fine of not less than Three Thousand Pesos 10 (P3,000.00), or with both such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.
Sec. 10. Submission of Reports. - The National Committee shall within ninety
(90) days after the approval of this Act and every one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter submit periodic reports to both Houses of Congress of the Philippines for 14 evaluation and consideration.
Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The fund needed for the implementation of the green
space development in this Act shall be taken from any available appropriations in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the year; Provided That, funds for this purpose shall be included in the GAA for the following year and every year thereafter; Provided finally, That there shall be equitable and proportionate appropriations of funds annually for this purpose for all barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces. In addition, adequate portion of financial grants and concessional loans extended to the Philippines by foreign governments and multilateral agencies shall be allocated to augment the annual appropriations.
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 14. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,