The House of Representatives approved a bill that will require a Tree Planting Plan (TPP) from all applicants of building permits for residential, commercial, industrial, and public building development projects in a bid to help mitigate the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
With an overwhelming vote of 266, the chamber approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) No. 8569.
“In requiring a Tree Planting Plan (TPP) to secure building permits, we aim to enhance environmental quality, mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the environment for present and future generations,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said.
“Any person, firm, corporation, department, office, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the government intending to construct, alter, repair or convert any building or structure, is required to set aside, and properly maintain in said property, areas adequate for planting and maintaining trees and flora.”
“Under the bill, any person, firm, corporation, department, office, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the government intending to construct, alter, repair or convert any building or structure, is required to set aside, and properly maintain in said property, areas adequate for planting and maintaining trees and flora. House Bill No. 8569 also specifies the contents of the TPP, including the species to be planted,” Romualdez explained.
Section 4 of the proposed legislation particularly gives preference to indigenous species of trees, taking into account the location, climate, and topography of the area.
However, planting non-vigorously growing endemic ornamental plants or trees and fruit-bearing trees is recommended for residential lots.
The authors of the bill are Representatives Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano, Dante Garcia, JC Abalos, Harris Christopher Ongchuan, Princess Rihan Sakaluran, Sheree Tan-Tambut, Noel “Bong” Rivera, Carl Nicolas Cari, Robert Ace Barbers, Ramon Jolo Revilla III, Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Eleanor Bulut-Begang, Alfonso Umali, Jr., Ciriaco Gato, Jr., Gerardo Valmayor, Jr., and Mark Go.
