QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10176)
Republic Act No. 10176 is the “Arbor Day Act of 2012.” Its purpose is to revive the observance of Arbor Day by authorizing local government units (LGUs) to conduct tree planting as an annual event.
The State policy is to protect and advance the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology by recognizing the vital role of trees in ecological stability, and by promoting coordinated tree planting and maintenance measures.
Yes. All provinces, cities, and municipalities, with their component barangays, are required to revive Arbor Day every calendar year through an appropriate proclamation by their respective local chief executives.
Adoption of uniform dates is encouraged, but varying dates may be permitted to allow flexibility in planning and implementation based on proper planting season and local budgetary allotments.
Under Section 3, each province, city, and municipality must create an Arbor Day Celebration Committee. Its composition is selected by the local chief executive, preferably from field officers of various government agencies and other sectors.
Examples include: Local sanggunian; DENR; BPI; DepEd; DILG; CHED; DA; DAR; DPWH; PNP; AFP; PCA; Civic organizations; SK; Liga ng mga Barangay; and media associations.
Arbor Day/Tree Planting Day must be declared by appropriate proclamation of the local chief executive through an ordinance passed by the local sanggunian.
Yes. The Arbor Day designated shall be declared as a public working holiday to ensure participation of different sectors, and the proclamation may embody that declaration as authorized under the Act.
The local sanggunian must provide for the allocation of resources pertinent to implementation at their respective LGU level.
For information and monitoring, LGUs must submit to the DILG the actual date of the Arbor Day celebration in their respective locality.
BPI, in coordination with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), supplies and distributes seedlings to LGUs for the Tree Planting Program.
All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines who are at least twelve (12) years old are required to plant one (1) tree every year.
Tree planting may be done in: (a) public school grounds within school premises; (b) idle or vacant public lands; (c) public parks in urban and rural areas; and (d) private schools/parks/lands with the owner’s consent.
The Arbor Day Celebration Committee should encourage the use of endemic or indigenous species when the planting/reforestation area is a protected area or protection forest.
Barangay officials and deputized non-governmental organizations are responsible for maintaining such trees.
The DILG, in coordination with LGUs, DENR, and DA, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the Act.
It takes effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.