Senate Offite of the Pretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) P1:33 25, AUG -4 SENATE S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES EACH AS A CIVIC DUTY FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Philippine Constitution enshrines the State's dual mandate to empower the youth as nation-builders (Article II, Section 13) and to protect a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature (Article II,
Section 16). This proposed legislation aims to realize both mandates through a simple
but impactful act: requiring all graduating senior high school and college students to plant two (2) trees as a civic duty and contribution to environmental preservation. Forests are critical to the Philippines' ecological resilience. They serve as natural buffers against disasters, regulate water systems, mitigate the impacts of climate change by sequestering carbon, and provide habitat for endemic species and indigenous communities. However, the country continues to suffer from rapid deforestation. According to the Forest Management Bureau and Global Forest Watch, the Philippines lost an average of over 38,000 hectares of natural forest annually from 2015 to 2023. This is equivalent to more than 100 hectares per day. This rate of loss threatens not only biodiversity and ecosystem services, but also the nation's food and water security.
By institutionalizing a tree-planting requirement among the youth, this measure seeks to address the urgent need for reforestation while instilling environmental stewardship at an early age. The bill is also aligned with the goals of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)', which calls for the mobilization of governments and citizens alike to restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience. It encourages collaboration among schools, communities, local governments, and key government agencies such as the DENR, DepEd, and CHED. LOREN LEGARDA 1https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/publications/action-plan-un-decade-ecosystem-restoration- 2021-2030
Scuate / Offier of the TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -4 P1:33 SENATE RECEIVEO 3 S. No. 813 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT REQUIRING ALL GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO PLANT TWO (2) TREES EACH AS A CIVIC DUTY FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Graduating Students
2 for Reforestation Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect
4 and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in 5 accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end, the State shall promote and pursue reforestation programs and encourage tree planting as a means 7 of involving the youth in public and civic affairs.
Sec. 3. Tree-planting as a Mandatory Requisite for Graduation. - All graduating
9 students from senior high school and college shall be required to plant at least two (2) trees as a mandatory prerequisite for their graduation. The tree-planting activity shall be their first act of public service as they enter the country's labor force.
Sec. 4. Location. — The trees to be planted under this Act shall be located in
suitable lands and areas as determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units, in coordination with schools, colleges, and universities.
Sec. 5. Preference for Indigenous Species. - The species of trees to be planted
2 should be appropriate to the location, climate, and topography of the area with preference for the planting of indigenous species.
Sec. 6. Partner Agencies and Stakeholders. - The Department of Education
5 (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall implement the 6 provisions of this Act, in partnership with the following agencies: a. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); b. Department of Agriculture (DA); c. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); d. Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and e. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). The responsibilities of these agencies shall include: 1. Establishment of nursery and preparation of seedlings; 2. Site identification and preparation; 3. Technical support and extension service; and 4. Monitoring and evaluation.
Sec. 7. Provision of Seedlings. - The Community Environment and Natural
18 Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR and the DA, in partnership with local government units (LGUs) throughout the Philippines, shall maintain a seedling bank and will serve as ready source of seedlings to be provided to senior high schools, colleges, and universities for the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DepEd and CHED, in
coordination with DENR and DILG, and in consultation with other agencies, shall promulgate and issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) necessary to implement this Act within sixty (60) days after its approval.
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included in the budgets of the implementing departments/ agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
2 proclamations, or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 complete publication in at least two newspapers of general publication. Approved,