Bffre ofis TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session AUG -6 A9:21 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING MECHANISMS THAT SHALL ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10176, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ARBOR DAY ACT OF 2012" EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 10176, otherwise known as the "Arbor Day of 2012" was signed into law on September 12, 2012 to revive the observance of Arbor Day and strengthen the collaborated effort between the State and its citizenry to combat the loss of our natural resources. The law also aims to rejuvenate our environment by undertaking nationwide tree planting activities and providing effective measures for their maintenance and sustainability. This bill seeks to expand the focus of arbor day to include rehabilitation of degraded forest lands, improvement of soil fertility and land productivity, and reduction of soil erosion especially in the rural and upland areas. To make the activities more results-oriented and effective, the proposed measure mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to identify suitable areas in each local government unit to be planted with various species of trees and plants, including bamboo.
This legislative proposal also mandates the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to monitor the compliance of the local government units (LGUs). In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended. logist. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session AUG -6 A9:21 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 986 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING MECHANISMS THAT SHALL ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10176, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ARBOR DAY ACT OF 2012" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10176 is amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end, the vital role and importance of trees in ecological stability is recognized. Hence, there is a need for a collaborated 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, undertaking nationwide tree planting activities and providing effective measures for their maintenance and sustainability. "XXX."
Sec. 2. Section 9 of the same Act is amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 9. Areas Covered by Tree Planting. - THE DENR SHALL IDENTIFY SUITABLE AREAS IN EACH LGU TO BE PLANTED WITH VARIOUS SPECIES OF TREES AND PLANTS, INCLUDING BAMBOO. THE DENR SHALL ENSURE THAT NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM SITES WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY AND CITY SHALL CONTINUE TO PROPAGATE AND PLANT VARIOUS SPECIES TO ENHANCE EXISTING VEGETATION. "The local Arbor Day Celebrations Committee shall [specify] SELECT the area within the LGU to be planted or reforested FROM AMONG THE AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE DENR AS SUITABLE FOR THESE PURPOSES. If the area to be planted or reforested is a protected area or a protection forest, the Committee shall encourage the use of endemic or indigenous species during the observance of the Arbor Day designated by the LGU. "x × X."
Sec. 3. A new Section 11-A is inserted after Section 11 of the same Act to read
20 as follows: "SEC. 11-A. ANNUAL REPORTS. - THE DILG SHALL MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT AND SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE CONGRESS ON THE COMPLIANCE OF LGUS WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT."
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,