SENATOR Raffy Tulfo filed a measure requiring all graduating senior high school and college students to plant two trees each as a civic duty for environment protection and preservation.

In his Senate Bill 2691 or the proposed Graduating Students for Reforestation Act of 2024, Tulfo stressed that the Philippines faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.

“Forests are essential in maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, and regulating the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide,” Tulfo said in his explanatory note.

However, the senator added that the nation’s natural landscapes have been negatively harmed by deforestation and forest degradation.

The lawmaker stressed that by mandating tree planting for graduating students, the bill directly addresses these challenges, contributing to reforestation and ecological restoration efforts.

“Educating the youth about the significance of environmental stewardship is vital for fostering a culture of sustainability,” Tulfo added.

“By integrating tree-planting activities in the graduation requirements guarantees that students not only learn about environmental challenges in theory but also engage in practical actions,” the senator stressed.