Protect Trees, Plants Along Public Places Act

Section 1 declares that it is the policy of the Government to cherish, protect and conserve planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs, or plants of ornamental value along public places.
Section 1 states the Government’s intent to promote and conserve the beauty of objects of scenic and ornamental value along public places.
Section 1 links conservation to helping preserve cool, fresh and healthful climate.

Section 1 protects planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs, and plants of ornamental value along specified public places.
Sections 3 and 3 likewise protect planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs, and plants of scenic value in the covered locations.

Section 3 prohibits cutting, destroying, or injuring the protected trees, plants, shrubs, or scenic/ornamental plants along public roads.
Section 3 covers plants along plazas, parks, and school premises.
Section 3 also covers plants in any other public ground.
Section 3 frames the rule as a general prohibition subject only to limited exceptions under the Act.

Section 2 grants the Director of Parks and Wildlife power to create a committee in each and every municipality in the Philippines.
Section 2 requires the Director to appoint as chairman any civic conscious and well-traveled citizen.
Section 2 makes the committee members ex-officio, consisting of the municipal mayor, municipal treasurer, supervising school teacher, and municipal health officer.
Section 2 empowers the Director of Parks and Wildlife to issue and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the Act.
Section 2 provides that the chairman receives one peso per annum paid out of the funds of the city or municipality concerned, and members do not receive extra compensation.
Section 2 empowers the committee to implement the Director’s rules and regulations under the Act.
Section 2 requires coordination with the Director on beautification of the locality.
Section 2 authorizes the committee, under the Director’s supervision, to require school children on Arbor Day to plant trees and flowering plants of useful and scenic value in covered public places.

Section 3 allows cutting, destroying, or injuring only when it is necessary for public safety.
Section 3 also allows only pruning necessary to enhance beauty.
Section 3 requires that any allowed cutting, destroying, injuring, or pruning be done only upon the recommendation of the committee created under Section 2.
Section 3 also requires approval of the Director of Parks and Wildlife before the allowed act proceeds.
Section 3 requires that cutting, destroying, or pruning be carried out under the supervision of the committee.

Section 4 imposes punishment on any person who cuts, destroys or injures the covered trees, flowering plants and shrubs, or plants of scenic value.
Section 4 prescribes punishment of prisión correccional in its minimum period to prisión mayor in its minimum period.
Section 4 applies to prohibited conduct that falls within Sections 1 and 3’s covered subject matter and locations, unless a legally valid exception is used.

Section 5 repeals all laws, Acts, parts of Acts, executive orders, and administrative orders or regulations that are inconsistent with Republic Act No. 3571.