Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10176)
The short title of Republic Act No. 10176 is the 'Arbor Day Act of 2012.'
The State declares the policy to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology, recognizing the vital role and importance of trees in ecological stability and promoting a collaborative effort between the State and its citizenry for nationwide tree planting and maintenance.
All provinces, cities, and municipalities with their component barangays are required to revive the observance of Arbor Day by appropriate proclamation of their respective local chief executives.
Yes, while adoption of uniform dates for Arbor Day is encouraged, varying dates may be allowed to afford flexibility in planning and in implementing tree planting programs suited to the local climate and selected tree species.
An Arbor Day Celebration Committee must be created in every province, city, and municipality. The local chief executive selects its members, which preferably include representatives from local sanggunian, DENR, BPI, DepEd, DILG, CHED, DA, DAR, DPWH, DOT, PNP, AFP, PCA, civic organizations, Sangguniang Kabataan, Liga ng mga Barangay, and media associations.
Arbor Day is declared through an ordinance passed by the local sanggunian and a proclamation by the local chief executive setting a fixed date each year for the celebration. This date is declared as a public working holiday to ensure participation.
All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines who are at least twelve (12) years old are required to plant at least one (1) tree every year.
Tree planting can be done in public school grounds, gardens, other areas within school premises; idle or vacant public lands; public parks in urban and rural areas; and private schools, parks, and lands with owner consent.
Barangay officials and deputized non-governmental organizations are responsible for the maintenance of the trees planted.
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), in coordination with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), supplies and distributes seedlings to the local government units for the tree planting program.
Local government units are required to submit to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) the actual date of their Arbor Day celebration for information and monitoring purposes.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Agriculture (DA), shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.
If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of the Act not affected shall continue in full force and effect (Separability Clause).
All laws, presidential decrees, proclamations, executive orders, regulations, or other issuances inconsistent with this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.