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2.6 Urban Forestry
The 1990 Master Plan for Forestry Development (MPFD) included Urban Forestry Program as one
of the five component programs under the umbrella program “Programs on Man and the Environment”. It
defined urban forestry (UF) simply as “a forest park, a nature center, a boulevard lined with trees or
flowering plants or even coconuts, a street with trees and other green plants in the islands or sidewalks, a
vacant lot planted to trees and other green plants, a school or hospital or a factory yard with trees. In short,
urban forestry is a greening movement, a people-oriented forestry designed to raise the quality of
environment of the people in urban centers”.
Land, water and air pollution and space congestion have become very critical in at least 4 big cities
in the Philippines. These include Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. The rapid
degradation and deterioration of the quality of the environment in these urban centers result to health
hazards to the residents. Everyday, large quantities of CO2, CO and other toxic gases are spewed into the
air from factories, manufacturing firms, transportation, burning by residents themselves. This is aggravated
by noise pollution from engines and horns of motor vehicles. The influx of people from rural areas in these
urban centers results to overcrowding of side walks, canals, railroad shoulders, underneath fly-overs,
bridges and any conceivable vacant space. For instance, it is estimated that there are about 10M people in
Metro Manila, 30 – 40% of whom live in squatter areas (Nakanishi, 2001). The voluminous solid wastes
generated by the residents, improper wastes disposal and the lack of basic sanitary facilities of squatter
colonies contribute to the worsening health and sanitation problem.
In order to mitigate these environmental problems, establishment and maintenance of urban
forests is one of the interventions sought. Among others, the trees and other green plants absorb CO2 and
gives off O2, hence they mitigate or lessen pollutants from the atmosphere. They also provide shade, serve
as buffer against noise and air-borne dust and conserve water and soil. Ganapin (1993) comprehensively
discussed the different roles and benefits of urban trees to environmental enhancement categorized under 3
different uses: climatological, engineering, and architectural/aesthetic uses.
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2.6.1 Goal, Objectives and Strategies of UF Program under 1990 MPFD
The goal of the program is the rehabilitation of the environment in urban centers. Specifically, as
defined in the MPFD (1990), the medium term (10 – 15 years) goal is to attain active practice of UF in
cities and towns.
Its objectives are as follows:
a) to establish tree strips and forest parks to help in reducing air, noise and sight pollution and in
improving air temperature in urban area and to attain a tree to person ratio of 1:4; and
b) to contribute to physiological and psychological well – being of urban residents.
The following are the strategies to attain the goals and objectives of UF program:
a) establishment of mini- forests and nature parks;
b) greening of main thoroughfares, side streets and islands;
c) establishment of city/municipal/school nurseries;
d) enlistment of participation of LGUs, NGOs and other government agencies
in planting trees in school grounds, military camps, hospital compounds, etc;
e) provision of tax incentives to encourage owners of vacant and idle lots to
plant trees;
f) initiation of an intensive information campaign on the benefits derived form
urban forests; and
g) enactment of laws and local ordinance directed towards urban environmental
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enhancement.
Due to funding constraints, the MPFD initially targeted the following six heavily polluted and/or
congested cities for UF development: Metro Manila, Cebu City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Iloilo City
and Zamboanga City.
The components of the program include the following:
a) Urban forest and nature parks development - Mini-forests and parks are targeted to cover 1-5 ha
per forest or park depending on availability of area. Depending on the population, the target is to
establish 1 park per 100,000 – 150,000 residents at strategic locations in population centers. The
species composition will be mostly forest trees with emphasis on ornamental, fruit – bearing
(including feeding tree) and shade trees. Species will be selected based on soil, climate and
resistance to pollutants.
b) Grounds landscaping (compound planting) - This involves planting of trees and other plants in
compounds/grounds of schools, government offices and hospitals, military camps, compounds of
factories and commercial establishments including subdivisions.
c) Greenbelt development (roadside planting) - This project involves greening of main thoroughfares,
side streets and roads. It is to be a joint undertaking of LGUs, DENR and NGOs. In the
preparation of overall urban forestry plan for each city, the main streets and roads to be planted
will be identified.
The following support components should be considered in UF program planning and
development:
a) Policy and legal reform - Zoning should be incorporated in the city plan (e.g. placing industries in
city outskirts to reduce pollution within the city).
b) Institutional strengthening - In order to oversee and coordinate the urban forestry program in the
city, an Urban Forestry Division should be created in the Forest Management Service sector at the
regional or PENRO offices of DENR similar to the one created at FMS – NCR.
c) Human resource development - Due to limited expertise and practical experience on UF in the
country, there is a need to conduct training in UF especially for DENR and LGUs who will be
implementing the program.
d) Research and Development - UF research is needed on: 1) effects of different pollutants on
physiological processes, growth and survival; 2) species – site compatibility; and 3) care and
maintenance techniques in an urban setting.
e) Information dissemination - A public information campaign (e.g. through mass media;
including teaching the values of trees as one of the topics in science subjects in elementary
grades) is needed on the importance of trees in urban areas so people will be sensitized not to
vandalize or injure the trees planted.
2.6.2 Assessment Results
2.6.2.1 Policies and Programs Related to Urban Forestry Development and Management
There are several policies, programs and projects issued and implemented for the past several
decades which is an indication of continuing concern on the deterioration of urban environment. It is
noticeable that new policies and programs evolve whenever there is a change in administration (a common
phenomenon in the Philippines) indicative of lack of continuity of previous initiatives.
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The major policies and programs related to urban forestry are chronologically listed below:
• PD 1153 of Pres. Marcos dated 1976 (Tree Planting Decree to support PROFEM)
o Requires all able-bodied Filipinos 10 years old and above to plant a tree per month for 5
consecutive years.
o Certificates of planting and survival--- requirement for graduation from school, renewal of job
appointment and business permit and approval of retirement from service.
o “Halamanan ng Bayan” launched by MHS to support this program. It required each city or
municipality to put up a nursery, garden and park.
o Repealed by EO 287 dated July 25, 1987 because of dictatorial provisions and harsh penalty.
• PD 953 of Pres. Marcos dated July 6, 1976 (Greening of Private Lands Including Residential
Subdivisions)
o Requires private landowners to plant trees extending at least 5 m on each side of the rivers/
creeks.
o Developers or owners of residential subdivisions and commercial/industrial lots to set aside
30% of total area as open spaces for parks and recreational areas.
o Penalizes unauthorized cutting, destruction or injury inflicted on naturally-growing or planted
trees or vegetations in any public places.
• LOI 1312 of Pres. Marcos dated April 23,1983 (Establishment and Development of Local
Government Forest or Tree Parks Throughout the Philippines).
o Requires each barangay, municipality or city to establish and maintain at least one forest or
tree park of considerable size.
o MNR (now DENR) to allocate public lands for this purpose and to provide technical assistance
and seedlings needed.
o MHS to ensure that establishment of forest or tree parks is included in the land use plan of
each barangay, municipality or city.
o MILG (now DILG) to appropriate funds and implement establishment and maintenance
activities.
• Memo Order Nos. 198 and 199 of Pres. Aquino dated November 9, 1988 (Luntiang Kamaynilaan
Program (LKP)/ Hardin ng Bayan Program).
o Issued to help insure healthy environment in Metro Manila (MM) and to serve as model
program for other cities/municipalities.
o Anchored on the “Hardin ng Bayan” concept wherein each city or municipality should have
gardens or parks of their own, transforming MM into a garden metropolis with lush vegetations,
cool and fresh air like the countryside.
o Objective- to plant 2 million trees in 2-3 years and achieve a desired 1:4 tree-man ratio.
o For efficient, effective coordinated implementation, an Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) was
formed: Co-chair- DENR and MMA (now MMDA); members- DPWH, DOTC, Metro Police
Force, DOT, OPS and PMS.
• Memo Cir. No. 5 of Pres. Ramos dated August 27, 1992 (Clean and Green Program).
o Similar to LKP (same IAC composition except MMDA as chair/lead agency) but wider in scope
(not only greening but also cleaning activities)
o Objective- massive planting (0.5 million trees/year or 2.5 million trees in 5 years from 1993-
1997) to achieve the ratio of one tree for every 4 persons.
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o Although focused in MM, CGP has nationwide coverage and encouraging cities and
municipalities to join nationwide contest for cleanest and greenest city or town.
• EO No. 113 of Pres. Ramos dated July 22, 1993 (Multi-sectoral Tree Planting Activities in Support
of ENR Programs/ECOREV).
o Scope / Objective – regreening and rehabilitation of all open and denuded lands of public
domain, idle lands, private lands and other suitable areas (both urban and rural) including
rehabilitations of coastal and marine areas.
o DENR to identify, assess and designate suitable area for planting and management and to
provide technical assistance to participating agencies.
o LGUs implement the program in their respective level and set up counterpart funds.
o Private sector participation encouraged via MOA or other appropriate arrangements with
DENR.
• EO No. 118 of Pres. Ramos dated August 12, 1993 (Mandating the active participation of all
government agencies nationwide in urban greening through an Adopt-A-Street/Park Program)
o Objective – greening of streets and parks in urban centers.
o Requires all government offices and government owned/controlled corporations to adopt a
street or park in coordination with concerned LGUs, NGOs and private sector by planting
appropriate species and maintaining them for at least 5 years using their own funds/resources.
and other resources.
o DENR to manage and coordinate the program through a designated National Coordinator.
o Project to be turned over to concerned LGU for maintenance and protection.
• DENR-DILG-DPWH-CSC Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 dated December 17,1993
(Implementing Guidelines for EO 118-Adopt-A-Stree/Park Program)
o Described the roles of each participating agency and outlined the schemes in the identification,
selection and adoption of a street or park to be developed.
o DENR to provide assistance to “adopters” in selecting suitable streets or park sites, in
providing necessary planting materials and in monitoring performance.
• OPLAN SAGIP PUNO Program of FMS-NCR/DENR launched on June 5, 2000.
o Conceived as a component of “Lets Go Green Program” of former DENR Secretary Antonio
Cerilles.
o Application of appropriate silvicultural treatments (e.g. removal of nails, wires/cables, water
sprouts; surgical treatment of injured stem or root) to prolong life span and promote good
health and vigor of trees planted in parks and along thoroughfares and streets in MM.
o Supplemented by public awareness campaign.
o DENR enters into MOA with participating agencies (e.g. subdivision homeowners association,
city/ municipal government, NGOs, etc.)
o DENR’s role --- conduct inventory and assessment of damaged/injured trees; undertake
appropriate silvicultural treatments; conduct information dissemination and training on tree
care and maintenance; provide technical assistance and planting materials to sustain the
project.
o LGU’s role --- provide tree care and maintenance crews to sustain the project; assist DENR in
information dissemination on maintenance and protection of trees.
• Proclamation No. 396 of Pres. Arroyo dated June 2, 2003 (Enjoining the active participation of all
government agencies including government-owned or controlled corporations, private sector,
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