COUPLES applying for marriage will soon be required to plant at least one tree before the release of marriage license in Tuba, Benguet.
"All applicants for marriage license in the municipality of Tuba are required to plant a tree, which is to motivate families to be part in the preservation of the environment for the next generation to enjoy," the proposed measure stated.
Several municipalities of Benguet have already integrated the practice of planting trees to those applying for marriage certificate after the Provincial Board approved an ordinance in 2015.
The proposed measure, dubbed as the "Love Tree Ordinance," aims to motivate families to be part in the preservation of the environment.
Its proponent, Councilor Maria Carantes, said Tuba Mayor Ignacio Rivera requested the enactment of a law requiring applicants of marriage license to plant trees.
Under the proposal, the municipal civil registrar's office will coordinate with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Menro) for the conduct of the tree planting.
Menro will then issue a certificate endorsed by the punong barangay that applicants have complied with the law.
The municipality will identify a lot where the "love trees" will be planted. However, in the absence of a lot, applicants may conduct the tree planting in a private or public land.
Moreover, applicants must secure a certification stating the number of trees planted and the venue of the tree planting from the punong barangay.
The Municipal Civil Registrar's Office of Tuba recorded 302 marriage applicants last year, while the Philippine Statistics Authority-Cordillera noted 2,704 marriage registered in Benguet.