Bill declares November 8 as Day of National Rising to rekindle

Bayanihan spirit a year after Typhoon Yolanda

A House member has proposed the declaration of November 8 of every year as the Day of
Rising, a day to plant trees, to meaningfully remember Arbor Day and rekindle the ayanihan spirit
venerating a year of survival after the devastation of !yphoon "olanda#
Rep# $aulino %alvador Doy &# 'eachon ()
st
District, *riental +indoro, said !yphoon "olanda
-as the -orst tropical cyclone that hit the country on Nov# 8, ./)0, killing at least 1,./) people and
in2uring .8,1.1 others# !he cost of damages -as estimated at $01#13 billion, -ith $)8#0 billion for
infrastructures and $)8#04 billion for agriculture in seven regions in the 5isayas, according to the solon#
6n light of this, 'eachon said there is a strong need to raise a-areness, enhance education and curb
these preventable catastrophic problems through the system -ide approach triggered at the national level
like tree planting#
$lanting trees on a national level -ill help address the ill effects of climate change through a
$rivate7$ublic $artnership ($$$, pro2ect, kno-ing very -ell that protecting the environment is
everyone8s concern in society, said 'eachon, a vice chairman of the House &ommittees on 9ood
9overnment and $ublic Accountability, and on +illennium Development 9oals#
'eachon said the country observes Arbor Day every :une .4 by planting trees and ornamental
plants and doing other forms of relevant activities pursuant to $roclamation No# 1;0, series of .//;, and
other internationally7recogni<ed environment7themed holidays, such as =arth Day on April .. and >orld
=arth Day on :une .4#
'eachon said his proposal contained in House ill ;38) provides it is the declared policy of the
%tate to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord -ith the
rhythm and harmony of nature#
He said the %upreme &ourt declared such mandate of the %tate by affirming that right of the
people in the landmark case of *posa vs# ?actoran, 9#R# No# )/)/80, that stated @# unless the right to a
balanced and healthful ecology is protected@the day -ould not be far -hen all else -ould be lost for@
generations -hich stand to inherit nothing but parched earth incapable of sustaining life#
!he bill no- pending at the House %pecial &ommittee on Reforestation chaired by Rep# %usan A#
"ap (.
nd
District, !arlac, provides the Department of =nvironment and Natural Resources (D=NR,, the
Department of =ducation (Dep=d, and the Department of 6nterior and 'ocal 9overnment (D6'9,, in
coordination -ith the &limate &hange &ommission, and in partnership -ith civil society, the academe
and media, shall be the lead agencies, and shall plan and implement activities for the observance of the
National Day of Rising by making available seeds, seedlings and plants#
'eachon further said his proposal -ould strengthen a counterpart measure filed in the %enate by
%en# 9race $oe, %enate :oint Resolution No# 3, on the observance of the Day of Rising starting Nov# 8
of this year# (0/, rbb
NR # 3612
OCT. 7, 2014