Last Wednesday, June 25, many government agencies like the Clark Development Corporation and some private companies held tree planting events in observance of Philippine Arbor Day. Our tree planting in the Environmental Practitioners’ Association was held last Friday, June 27.
Arbor Day is a worldwide movement dedicated to tree planting and appreciation but unlike other international environmental events, there is no uniform date set. In the Philippines, it was set every 25th of June through Proclamation 643, series of 2004, signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. However, Republic Act No. 10176, An Act Reviving the Observance of Arbor Day, left to Local Government Units (LGU’s) the discretion of setting their own Arbor Day.
Under RA 10176, provinces, cities and municipalities may conduct tree planting at an appropriate fixed date every calendar year as shall be deemed suitable according to the proper time and season for planting trees in their respective places. In Mabalacat City, Arbor Day is held every First Friday of July as stipulated in the Mabalacat City Environmental Code which I authored.
The new Arbor Day law made tree planting mandatory. All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are at least twelve (12) years old, shall be required to plant one (1) tree every year. However, the law did not provide the mechanism by which this provision will be implemented. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) did not also address this. It’s now up to the LGU’s to fill the gap by passing ordinances to implement and monitor mandatory tree planting.
When I was in college in the mid 80’s, tree planting was required for graduation. In my Transcript of Records, there’s a portion there that says I participated in tree planting. I can’t recall if this was a law, a CHED order or a school policy. In 2022, Senate Bill No 1538 or Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act, was filed by Senator Bong Revilla which will require graduating students to plant at least 10 trees as a prerequisite for graduation. Sadly, it did not become a law.
One problem encountered during tree planting is the lack of planting sites. The Arbor Day law designated public school grounds, gardens or other available areas within the school premises, idle or vacant public lands, public parks in urban and rural areas and private schools, parks and lands with the consent of the owner. However, most of these areas have no more available spaces too.
Another problem is the maintenance of the seedlings. The Arbor Day law mandates barangay officials and deputized nongovernmental organizations as responsible for the maintenance of such trees. Again, no mechanism is in place to check if this is done. There is no inventory of surviving trees either.
If we are truly serious about caring for the environment, we must ensure that the seedlings we planted will survive. Otherwise, Arbor Day celebrations will just be a “feel good” activity with no lasting impact and a waste of time and money.