Inihain ni Senador Cynthia Villar ang Senate Bill 2228 o ang “Graduating Students for Reforestation Act of 2023” na naglalayong gawing mandato sa bawat estudyanteng magsisipagtapos sa Senior High School (SHS) at kolehiyo ang pagtatanim ng dalawang puno upang maprotektahan umano ang kalikasan.
Sa kaniyang explanatory note, binanggit ni Villar na nakasaad sa konstitusyon na mahalaga ang papel ng kabataan at kalikasan sa bansa.
“It outlines the youth's crucial role in nation-building and their holistic development, alongside the State's commitment to secure a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature,” ani Villar.
Upang matupad umano ang nasabing mga mandato ng konstitusyon, sinabi ni Villar kinakailangang obligahin ang lahat ng magtatapos ng SHS at kolehiyo na magtanim ng tig-dalawang puno bilang kanilang “civic duty” para sa pangangalaga sa kapaligiran.
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“This promotes a unique synergy between these two core constitutional mandates by involving the youth - our nation's future - in tangible efforts towards environmental conservation,” ani Villar.
“With an estimated 2 million students graduating from senior high school and college annually, the Act could potentially add about 4 million trees to our forest cover each year, fostering an environment-conscious mindset in our young citizens, while significantly contributing to reforestation,” dagdag niya.
Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas, lahat ng graduating students ng SHS at kolehiyo ay kinakailangang magtanim ng hindi bababa sa dalawang puno bilang “mandatory prerequisite” sa kanilang pagtatapos.
Kinakailangan naman umanong nasa angkop na lupa o lugar ang mga punong itatanim na itatakda ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at mga lokal na pamahalaan, sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga paaralan, mga kolehiyo o unibersidad.
“As we are now undergoing the UN Decade of Ecological Restoration, this legislation serves as a significant step in our battle against climate change and our pursuit of sustainable development. It nurtures in our youth a sense of responsibility, encouraging their active engagement in crucial environmental and sustainability initiatives,” ani Villar.
Ang naturang panukalang batas ay counterpart measure ng HB 978 na inihain ni Congressman Mark Go sa House of Representatives.
