Legal basis, policy, and purpose
- Executive Order No. 52 is anchored on the constitutional recognition that the people have a right to enjoy a healthful ecology in harmony with nature.
- Executive Order No. 52 recognizes youth as having an indispensable role in nation-building with a primordial stake in addressing environmental quality and healthful ecology.
- Executive Order No. 52 establishes that environmental protection and conservation are best planned and implemented through a community-based approach.
- Executive Order No. 52 affirms the obligation of the present generation to ensure future generations of Filipinos will enjoy a healthful environment.
- Executive Order No. 52 directs institutional creation and organization of youth environmental structures within the Katipunan ng Kabataan to promote environmental awareness and action.
Creation of barangay Green Brigade (GB)
- Section 1 creates a youth environmental corps within the Katipunan ng Kabataan in all barangays of the country called the Green Brigade (GB).
- Section 2(a) provides that each barangay GB is composed of at least twenty-five (25) members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan.
- Section 2(b) requires the Sangguniang Kabataan Council member to elect among themselves the head of the barangay GB.
- Section 2(b) further requires elected GB officers: GB secretary and GB treasurer, elected among GB members, to assist the GB head.
- Section 2(b) requires the constitution of appropriate committees and bodies for the GB.
Status, relationship, and committee designation
- Section 3 deems the barangay GB as the Committee on Environment of the Sangguniang Kabataan of that barangay for purposes of funding and implementation of environment related projects.
- The GB therefore functions as the Sangguniang Kabataan’s environment committee entity for operational and implementation matters on environmental projects.
Funding for barangay GB operations
- Section 4 provides an automatic barangay GB allocation subject to applicable budgetary laws, rules, and regulations.
- Section 4 mandates that ten percent (10%) of the annual budget of the Sangguniang Kabataan is automatically allocated for GB operations.
- Section 4 allows the GB to hold fund-raising activities to augment its funds.
- Section 4 provides that proceeds of fund-raising activities are deemed funds raised by the Sangguniang Kabataan under Section 426 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160.
Powers and functions of barangay GB
- Section 5(a) requires each barangay GB to formulate and implement a local youth environmental action plan addressing the barangay’s specific environmental concerns.
- Section 5(a) requires the local plan to be in consonance with the National Youth Environmental Action Plan under Section 10.
- Section 5(b) authorizes educational projects promoting youth partnership in sustainable development programs in the barangay, including environmental awareness campaigns, clean-up drives, and tree planting activities.
- Section 5(b) requires the GB to establish and maintain links with existing youth groups in the barangay for coordinated youth action relating to environmental protection and preservation.
- Section 5(c) authorizes the GB to propose ordinances to the Sangguniang Kabataan and/or the sanggunian of the local government unit toward sustainable development and environmental protection and natural resources conservation/preservation.
- Section 5 also recognizes that the GB has such other powers and functions as may be provided later or as may be necessary and incidental to perform its mandate.
Deputation of Barangay Environmental and Natural Resources Officer
- Section 6 provides for the election of a Deputized Environmental and Natural Resources Officer (DENRO) in every barangay.
- Section 6 requires the DENRO to be elected among the GB members.
- Section 6 requires the DENRO’s age qualification: between 18 to 21 years old.
- Section 6 provides that the barangay Green Brigade DENRO shall assist the DENR in monitoring and reporting violations of environmental laws.
Municipal/City GB Federations
- Section 7(a) requires the barangay GBs, through their chairpersons, to be organized into Municipal/City Green Brigade Federations.
- Section 7(a) automatically provides that each Municipal/City Green Brigade Federation is chaired by the vice president of the Municipal or City SK Federation.
- Section 7(b) deems the Municipal/City Green Brigade at the municipal/city level as the permanent Committee on the Environment of the Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan for funding and program implementation.
- Section 7(b) mandates that the Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan provides funds necessary and adequate for the federation’s effective performance of its functions.
- Section 7 establishes the federation structure as the next level for implementation, monitoring, and consolidation of GB activities.
Powers and functions of Municipal/City Federations
- Section 8(a) requires the Municipal/City GB Federation to formulate municipal/city youth environmental action plans.
- Section 8(b) authorizes the federation to enter into cooperative agreements with other youth groups in the area for coordination of youth environmental actions.
- Section 8(c) requires the federation to assist and monitor activities and programs of Barangay Green Brigade.
- Section 8(d) authorizes the federation to propose ordinances/resolutions to the Municipal/City Sangguniang Kabataan Federation or Municipal/City Council relating to environmental protection.
- Section 8(e) recognizes additional powers and functions as may be later provided or as may be necessary and incidental to performance of its mandate.
National GB Coordinating Committee and NYEAP
- Section 9(a) creates the National GB Coordinating Committee (NGBCC) composed of:
- the Chairman of NYC as overall coordinator;
- one (1) representative each from DENR and DILG with the rank of assistant secretary;
- the president of the Pambansang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan; and
- two (2) youth environmental NGOs with a good record of community service.
- Section 9(b) requires the NGBCC to formulate the National Youth Environmental Action Plan (NYEAP) within 60 days after approval of Executive Order No. 52.
- Section 9(b) requires the NGBCC to coordinate and monitor NYEAP implementation.
- Section 9(c) provides that the National Youth Commission (NYC) serves as the secretariat of the NGBCC and provides technical and funding support for meetings and NGBCC operations.
- Section 10 establishes the NYEAP as the basis of local youth environmental action plans in barangays/cities/municipalities.
Contents and components of NYEAP
- Section 10 requires the NYEAP to include, among others, the following components:
- Philosophy and Concept of Ecology and Sustainable Development.
- Current State of the Environment of the Philippines.
- Environmental Responsibilities, Functions and Rites of Youth and Youth DENRO.
Reportorial requirements and timelines
- Section 11(a) requires all barangay GBs to submit annual accomplishment and action reports to their Municipal/City GB Federations on or before the second week of December of each year.
- Section 11(a) requires these reports to be submitted in time for the celebration of “National Linggo ng Kabataan” pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160.
- Section 11(a) requires copies of barangay reports to be submitted to the corresponding Sangguniang Kabataan or Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan.
- Section 11(b) imposes on Municipal/City GB Federations the responsibility of collating and compiling barangay reports and attaching these (or executive summaries) to the federation’s report to the NGBCC.
- Section 11(c) requires the NGBCC through its secretariat to compile municipal/city reports, consolidate them into the NGBCC’s annual national report, and submit it to the President on or before the end of March of the succeeding year.
Institutional support and implementing rules
- Section 12(a) requires all local government units and national government agencies, most especially DENR, DILG, and NYC, to cooperate to provide support for formation and operations of barangay GBs and Municipal/City GB Federations.
- Section 12(b) directs the NYC, in coordination and consultation with DENR, DILG, and the Pambansang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, to promulgate implementing rules.
- Section 12(b) imposes a deadline: implementing rules must be promulgated not later than three (3) months from the effectivity of Executive Order No. 52.
- Section 12(b) requires the implementing rules to form and institutionalize barangay GBs and GB Federations at all levels as part of the Sangguniang Kabataan pursuant to Executive Order No. 52.
- Section 12(b) requires full observance of the provisions of Book VII, Chapter 2, Section 9(a) of Executive Order No. 292 (1987), known as the Revised Administrative Code of 1987, in formulating the implementing rules.
Funding support and appropriation mechanics
- Section 13 sets aside five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) for the current year from the savings and reserves of the Office of the President and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
- The P500,000.00 appropriation covers organization, operationalization, and institutionalization of:
- the Green Brigades;
- Green Brigade Federations; and
- the NGBCC.
- Section 13 also covers formulation and promulgation of the implementing rules referred to in Section 12.
- Section 13 requires that thereafter, funds necessary to support operations of the NGBCC and the NYC as the NGBCC Secretariat be included in the annual appropriations of the NYC.
Repeal of inconsistent issuances
- Section 14 revokes, amends, or modifies all executive issuances, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with Executive Order No. 52.