FOR THE LOVE OF NATURE. Students of Diliman Preparatory School in Quezon City participate in a tree-planting activity at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center during 2022 Earth Day celebrations. The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that will propagate and involve more government agencies in tree-planting efforts. (PNA file photo by Ben Briones)

MANILA – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Tuesday said there is a need for sustained efforts to combat the loss of natural resources, like nationwide tree-planting activities.

In a statement, the CCC lauded the passage House Bill (HB) 8568, which provides mechanisms that shall ensure the effective implementation of a nationwide tree-planting program.

HB No. 8568 seeks to amend various sections of Republic Act (RA) 10176 or the Arbor Day Act.

“There is a need for a corroborated 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,” read the revised Section 2 of RA 10176, as proposed by HB 8568.

CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert Borje urged all stakeholders to join hands in addressing the climate crisis and strengthen regional and national climate change and disaster resilience.

He underscored the key roles of government agencies and legislators, business and private sector leaders, academic and research institutions, civil society and non-government organizations, and international and regional organizations to further intensify collaboration, nurture innovative solutions, and exhibit accountability across sectors and nations.

“Our collective resolve will allow us to do more to save lives and protect the livelihoods of the present and future generations,” Borje said.

HB 8568 mandates that local government units, with technical assistance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), shall identify suitable areas to be planted to various species of trees and plants, including bamboo.

“The DENR shall ensure that national greening program sites within the municipalities and cities are propagated and planted of various species to enhance existing vegetation,” the bill states.

It further adds that areas of ancestral domain may now host tree-planting activities.

Other possible areas for tree-planting activities are public school grounds, gardens or other available areas within the school premises; idle or vacant public lands; public parks in urban and rural areas; and private schools, parks and lands with the consent of the owner. (PNA)