SENATOR Cynthia Villar sponsored a bill seeking to institutionalize tree planting as a ‘civic duty’ for all graduating senior high school and college students across the nation.

Senate Bill No. 2834, or the proposed “Tree Planting Legacy of Graduates Act of 2024,” aims to tackle environmental challenges, particularly those related to climate change. The bill, under Committee Report No. 330, encourages environmental responsibility among the youth.

“Beyond addressing immediate needs, this bill offers long-term ecological benefits essential for sustainable development,” said Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. She emphasized that the trees planted by graduating students would help restore ecosystems, protect communities, and mitigate climate change.

Villar explained that trees play a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing the urban heat island effect, preventing floods, stabilizing soil, and providing habitats for various species.

The measure was jointly prepared by the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources, Climate Change, Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Basic Education, and Finance, as a substitute for earlier bills filed by Senators Ramon Revilla, Cynthia Villar, and Raffy Tulfo.

The senator pointed out that the bill comes at a crucial time, as the country is increasingly facing severe weather events.

She cited Typhoon Carina in July 2024, which, combined with the southwest monsoon, displaced over 211,000 people and affected 1.3 million Filipinos, causing ₱696 million in agricultural losses.

Typhoon Enteng, in September 2024, worsened the situation, highlighting the urgent need for environmental protection and disaster resilience in the Philippines.