Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. wants to integrate a Tree Planting Plan (TPP) as an additional requirement for the issuance of building permits through his proposed House Bill No. 6325, filed on November 24, 2025.
To be known as the ‘Building Green Act’ if passed, HB 6325 mandates the inclusion of a TPP in the application for building permits, in addition to other permit requirements, covering new construction, additions, alterations, and major repairs under Presidential Decree No. 1096 or the National Building Code, with the exemption of traditional indigenous family dwellings and projects exempted under the Code and its IRR.
“In recent months, our country has suffered the severe impacts of environmental degradation and climate change. Many lives have been lost, properties destroyed, and local economies disrupted,” Lazatin said.
“There is a pressing need to strengthen our reforestation efforts and environmental preservation to mitigate climate risks and reduce the negative impact of natural disasters,” he added.
At the minimum, the TPP shall contain the following: total lot and project floor area of the project; layout of planting areas; number of trees to be planted (i.e., at least one tree for every 500 sq. m. of lot area for commercial or industrial buildings, and at least one tree for every 250 sq. m. in residential buildings or developments); and species of endemic trees.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as administrator of the National Building Code, shall integrate the TPP requirement into building permit processes and forms while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall provide the technical standards for tree selection, planting, and maintenance. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall then oversee LGU compliance and capacity-building.
During his time as Angeles City Councilor, Lazatin also authored the landmark City Ordinance No. 456, which required business establishments to conduct a ‘Greening Program’ as part of the requirements for business permit application.
As Angeles City Mayor, Lazatin led the massive reforestation of the Sapangbato Watershed, in partnership with in partnership with the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI) founded by the late Renato “Abong” Tayag, Jr.
By the time Lazatin stepped down from office, a total of 145,041 seedlings have been planted in the watershed.
