4-M Trees Yearly If Bill Becomes Law: Baguio Solon

Around four million trees would be planted annually if the bill requiring parents to plant two trees for every child born to them is enacted into law, Baguio Rep. Mark Go said on Thursday.

“This shows our collective initiative in helping our environment but most importantly, there will be an increased environmental consciousness and care,” Go, author of House Bill 8727, added.

Last January 14, the House of Representatives approved the Family Tree Planting Bill on third and final reading before the plenary. The bill was already transmitted to the Senate.

Go said the law simply wants to encourage Filipinos and everyone in the country to plant a tree and take care of them because they are simultaneously growing with their child.

“Ang mga magulang expected na aalagaan yung itinanim nila kasi kasabayan ng anak nila, ganun din yung mga anak dahil itinanim ng magulang nila yun noong lumabas sila sa mundo (Parents are expected to take care of the trees as the trees will grow together with their child, which is the same for the children, to care for the trees as their parents planted it when they were born),” Go said.

“The bill aims to give parents and their children an emotional attachment to the trees they plant for them to take care until the trees grow tall,” said Go in a phone interview on Thursday. He said the approved bill was already transmitted to the Senate.

Go said based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, a total of 1,748,857 births were registered in 2014. There is an average of 4,791 babies born daily or 200 babies per hour.

The lawmaker said all parents, whether legally married or not, residing in the Philippines are covered by the bill.

Under the measure, these trees shall be planted within the premises of their own home or in an area to be designated by the barangay council where they reside with the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“This is a simple way of protecting and preserving our environment and helping the State to achieve its goal of ecological balance,” Go added.

The bill directs the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR and the Department of Agriculture to maintain a seedling bank that will serve as the ready source for seedlings to be provided to couples.

In Baguio, the city environment code requires couples applying for a marriage license to first plant a tree before a permit is issued to them. (PNA)