Participation of All Sectors in Tree Planting Activities

June 12, 1993

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 99-A

ENJOINING ALL SECTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAMS

WHEREAS, the Philippines is committed to the principles set forth in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit);

WHEREAS, in order to translate commitments to more concrete actions, the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development (PSSD) is being operationalized taking a balanced approach to environment and development issues, incorporating sustainable principles and concepts in the national priorities of the government, including implementation of a Master Plan for Forestry Development (MPFD) to chart the long term operations of the forestry sector; casia

WHEREAS, the government is at present implementing a National Forestation Program to revegetate open and denuded forest lands and provide a wholesome environment;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the foregoing strategies and programs and to further encourage the citizenry's involvement in the realization of the same, there is a need to advocate an ecological revolution (ECOREV) which shall take a holistic view in the rehabilitation and development of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law and the Constitution, do hereby direct and order, as follows:

SECTION 1. The rehabilitation and regreening of all open and denuded lands of the public domain, idle lands, private lands, and other suitable areas both urban and rural including rehabilitation of coastal or marine areas shall be encouraged.

SECTION 2. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall identify, assess and designate actual areas for rehabilitation, development, planting and management, taking into consideration the ecological zones and the provisions of Republic Act 7586 creating the Integrated Protected Areas System including other relevant environment and natural resources programs; cd

SECTION 3. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through the Local Government Units (LGUs) shall implement tree planting and regreening program in all Provinces, Cities, Municipalities, and Barangays. It shall set up its counterpart funds and activate Local Environment and Natural Resources Committees and Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committees, pursuant to existing policies.

SECTION 4. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall likewise implement through its students, faculty members and other personnel tree planting programs in school grounds and adjoining sites and other areas identified jointly by DECS and DENR. casia

SECTION 5. Private Sector participation shall be encouraged through cooperative tree planting agreements and other appropriate arrangements. Suitable areas shall be made available to civic and professional organizations, and other non-government organizations (NGOs) to develop and maintain using their own resources, with free technical advice from the DENR.

SECTION 6. The Secretary of the DENR in coordination with the Secretary of DILG, and the Secretary of DECS shall prepare the necessary implementing guidelines for the effective implementation of this Executive Order. The guidelines shall require the submission of periodic reports to the Office of the President.

SECTION 7. All existing Executive Orders, Administrative Orders, Rules and Regulations, and other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. asia dc

SECTION 8. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Three.

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 89 No. 32 Page 4412 on August 9, 1993.