House of Representatives approves 2 bills which requires tree planting for every child birth and graduates

On Wednesday the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading of two bills which seek to require parents as well as graduating senior high school and college students to plant trees.

Photo credit: intelligentliving.co

With votes of 222-0, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 6930 or the Family Tree Planting Act.

Under the measure, all parents residing in the country whether legally married or not are now required to plant two trees for every child born to them within the premises of their own home or in a designated area of the barangay they reside in and with the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The planted tree species should be appropriate to the location, climate and topography of the area, with preference for the planting of indigenous species and fruit-bearing trees.

The planting of trees will be made a requirement for the release of the birth certificate of the child, and must be done within 30 days after the child's birth.

Lawmakers likewise approved House Bill No. 6931 or the Graduation Legacy for Reforestation Act. With a vote of 224-0, which requires graduating senior high school and college students to plant two trees each as a civic duty for environmental protection and preservation.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the concerned local government units are tasked under the measure to determine the appropriate tree planting sites within the respective LGU's area, in coordination with schools, colleges and universities.

Similar to the Family Tree Planting Act, the measure also requires the species of trees to be planted to be appropriate for the location and climate and topography of the area, with preference for the planting of indigenous species.

Following the approval in the House, the measures will be sent to the Senate for its own deliberation and consideration.