SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

First Regular Session )

SENATE
S.B. No. 18

INTRODUCED BY SEN. LALAINE DOMINO AND SEN. ROMELYN LAGUNILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The way buildings are constructed these days serve a great amount of impact in
various ways, especially to the environment. Its construction consumes a large amount
of physical resources such as energy, materials, money in its construction, maintenance
and use. Though it is practical these days to go green some companies still lean to the
traditional ways of making buildings without considering its environmental impacts in the
process.

In urban settings, it is substantial that involved individuals and groups are aware
of the current situations concerning Philippine forests. It could never be disavowed that
various types of pollution could widely harm tree species living in busy streets, areas with
high population density and locations where buildings and other settlements are situated.
This occurrence could lead to further detriment therefore leading to a call for proper urban
management. In solution to this matter, a proposition focusing on proper planning and
establishment of roof greenery and vertical gardens in large buildings would contribute a
number of benefits.

This bill therefore seeks to require buildings in urban communities to construct

gardens such as but not limited to ornamental gardens, vegetable gardens in the form of
but not limited to vertical gardening, pot gardening, and flat gardening. The citizens
involved will be encouraged to manifest creativity in establishing roof gardens, seek
practicality in the usage of urban space, and develop care for the environment.

ROMELYN LAGUNILLA

LALAINE DOMINO
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

SENATE
S.B. No. 18

INTRODUCED BY SEN. LALAINE DOMINO AND SEN. ROMELYN LAGUNILLA

AN ACT ESTABLISHING ROOF GARDENS IN COMMERICIAL BUILDINGS FOR

THE REFINEMENT OF URBAN AREAS AS THE STIMULUS LEADING TO STATE-
OF-THE-ART URBAN FORESTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled:

ARTICLE I

TITLE, POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1. Title. This act shall be known as the The Urban Greening Code of
the Philippines of 2016

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared by the policy of the state

to manifest creativity through proper selection and application of urban gardening
particularly roof and vertical greenery, seek practicality in the utilization of urban spaces,
and develop conscientiousness for the environment in the form of situating a garden
within a building or an establishment. This Act will require all commercial buildings in
urban areas that have a number of story equal or greater than five to construct an
appropriate type roof garden in accordance to the stated notes mentioned. Towards this
end, the State shall adopt a national standard for this program and shall help accomplish
the aim for the improvement of our environment.

SECTION 3. Objectives. This act considers the following aspects:

a.) Aesthetic- For buildings that are commonly publicly used, it shall provide an
area for recreation, with the purpose of being a decompressing scenery.

b.) Educational- In harmony with the recreational intent, it shall provide basic
learnedness for people who are in line with environmental facet.

c.) Ecological- Natural species, in urban places that are unhabitable for them, are
provided with home. In addition, this act shall be an agent that would combat any form of
pollution so as to protect the ecosystem that are within the area. It shall also promote
balance of nature with its contribution to the green environment.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
taken meaning as follows:

a.) Urban Area- These pertains to an area surrounding a city. Its frame is composed
of large buildings, infrastructures and other settlements. It could be also classified as a
region where most people reside. Busy streets, numerous private and public utility
vehicles, roads, railways, bridges, inhabitants are most likely seen here.

b.) Urban greening- It presents high quality research which aims to provide proper
education on decision-making, design, application and management of woody and non-
woody vegetation maintenance and supervision in urban areas.

c.) Roof Greenery- It is seen as a garden on top of a roof of particular building. It is

accustomed to providing mostly ecological benefits in an establishment.

i.) Rooftop garden-a general type of roof greenery wherein a garden is made
on top of a roof, not necessarily covering the whole area.

ii.) Green Roof-a roof partially or fully covered with vegetation planted on top of
a waterproofing system.

iii.) Sod Roof- also known as turf roof; a roof covered with grass attached to
soil through roots.

iv.) Thatched Roof- a type of roof garden that uses dry vegetation such to layer
a green vegetation in order to protect the inner roof from water shedding.

d.) Vertical Greenery - This type of gardening is placed vertically and closely to the
wall. Unlike the usual roof greenery, it would take up minimal space therefore more
appropriate for buildings with a rooftop used as a site of storage.

e.) Commercial buildings - also referred to as commercial estate or commercial

properties; buildings that are established with the intent of generating profit or income,
often categorized into recreational (hotels, restaurants or athletic facilities), retail
(shopping malls or retail stores), industrial (warehouses or distribution centers), office
buildings or housing establishments (condominiums or apartments).
 ARTICLE II

INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AND REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 5. Procurement of Clearance. Upon effectivity of this Act, every

commercial building located in urban areas will be required to apply for a clearance from
the nearest CENRO or PENRO offices. After which it will be forwarded to the LGUs office
of their respective regions for proper documentation.

SECTION 6. Government Institutions Involved. Under strict supervision of the

government agencies involved namely: CENRO, PENRO, DPWH (Department of Public
Works and Highways), National Housing Authority, CLUPPI (Center for Land Use Policy,
Planning and implementation), NLURB (Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board) and
International Society of Arboriculture a permit will be issued to each commercial
establishment in every urban area in the Philippines. Transaction and issuance of the
clearance shall be completed under committees assigned by the CENRO.

SECTION 7. Annual Report. The Council shall require each commercial

establishment to submit a report to the Regional DENR office of each establishment, not
later than June 30 of every year following the effectivity of this Act, a report giving a
detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Function of the Clearance. The clearance shall be required by the

LGUs in issuing Business Permits to Commercial Establishments. Absence of clearance
and permit shall mean the inability of the establishment to conduct business.

SECTION 9. Penalty. Failure to establish Roof gardens upon implementation of

this Act shall mean the cancellation of the existing Business Permit of the establishment
and a fine of Php 10,000.

ARTICLE III

TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) month after
the approval of this Act, the Council shall, upon consultation with government agencies,
LGUs, private sector, NGOs and civil society, promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act: Provided, that failure to issue rules and regulations shall not in any
manner affect the executory nature of the provisions of this Act.
 SECTION 11. Separability Clause. If for any reason any section or provision of
this Act is declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof
shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 12. Repeating Clause. All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,