Marikina, Philippines — Marikina Representative Marcy Teodoro has filed House Bill No. 10463, or the Tree Preservation and Urban Forest Protection Act, which aims to strengthen the protection of trees and establish a national policy for their conservation.
Under the proposed measure, government agencies, local government units (LGUs), contractors, and private developers will be required to first explore alternative engineering solutions and project designs before deciding to cut down trees.
According to Teodoro, it is important to strike a balance between development and environmental protection in the implementation of infrastructure projects.
The lawmaker believes the proposed bill will further strengthen the protection of urban forests while allowing development projects to move forward without sacrificing the environment.