Villar wants graduating students to plant trees

MANILA, Philippines — With almost two million students graduating from senior high school and college annually, Sen. Cynthia Villar filed Senate Bill 2228, an act requiring all graduating senior high school and college students to plant two trees each as a civic duty for environment protection and preservation.

“With an estimated two million students graduating from senior high school and college annually, the Act could potentially add about four million trees to our forest cover each year, fostering an environment-conscious mindset in our young citizens, while significantly contributing to reforestation. 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,” Villar said in her explanatory note.

The senator explained that forests serve as shield from natural disasters, ensure water and food security, shelter diverse ecosystems and preserve rich indigenous traditions.

“Our forests, integral to the country’s ecological balance, are experiencing a decline at an alarming rate, with the Forest Management Bureau reporting an annual loss of approximately 47,000 hectares,” she added.

“It is, therefore, a matter of urgency that we restore our forest cover, not just for environmental integrity, but also for our survival and sustainability. 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,” she said.

She noted the bill will nurture in our youth a sense of responsibility, encouraging their active engagement in crucial environmental and sustainability initiatives, which is a counterpart measure of House Bill 978 filed by Rep. Mark Go, chairman of the committee on higher and technical education in the House of Representatives.