MANILA, Philippines - A lawmaker is pushing for November 8 to be declared as the "Day of Rising" to plant trees, to commemorate Arbor Day and to rekindle the Bayanihan spirit a year after typhoon Yolanda devastated the country.
Oriental Mindoro Rep. Paulino Salvador Leachon proposed House Bill 4891 to raise awareness, enhance education and prevent future catastrophic events by planting trees.
"Planting trees on a national level will help address the ill effects of climate change through a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) project, knowing very well that protecting the environment is everyone's concern in society," Leachon said.
Typhoon Yolanda struck the country on Nov. 8, 2013 and killed at least 6,201 people while 28,626 were injured. The estimated total cost of damages was P36.69 billion.
The Philippines currently observes June 25 as Arbor Day by planting trees and ornamental plants.
The bill pending at the House Special Committee on Reforestation would strengthen a counterpart measure filed by Sen. Grace Poe in the Senate.
For more proposed measures in the House of Representatives, visit our Bill Tracker.