Senator Cynthia Villar has sought to institutionalize tree planting as a “civic duty” for all graduating senior high school and college students in the country.
Villar’s Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2834 or the “Tree Planting Legacy of Graduates Act of 2024” under Committee Report No. 330 aims to address environmental challenges, particularly the effects of climate change, and to foster a culture of environmental responsibility among the youth.
The proposed law seeks to require all graduating senior high school and college students to plant at least two trees as a prerequisite for graduation.
“Beyond responding to immediate needs, this bill proposes long-term ecological benefits that will serve as a foundation for sustainable development. Central to this initiative are the trees that graduating students will plant–trees that will help restore ecosystems, protect communities, and mitigate the effects of climate change,” chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
The benefits of trees, she added, are far-reaching, citing its role in addressing climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming.
“They act as natural barriers against floods, stabilize soil, and reduce the risk of landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas,” according to her.
Villar added that in cities, trees help counter the urban heat island effect.
They also improve air quality and support biodiversity by providing habitats for various species, she said.
The Committee Report is in substitution of SBN 1538 authored by Senator Ramon Revilla, SBN 2228 which she authored, and SBN 2691 authored by Senator Raffy Tulfo.IMT
