02/01/2026
๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ-๐๐ง๐-๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฒ-๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Father and son lawmakers Paolo Z. Duterte and Omar Vincent S. Duterte have filed a measure seeking to strengthen and institutionalize forestland rehabilitation and protection at the barangay level.
The proposed measure, titled โBarangay Greening and Forest Land Rehabilitation and Protection Act of 2025,โ aims to strengthen local climate change action by embedding forest protection, rehabilitation, and greening initiatives within barangay governance structures.
The bill builds on the gains of the National Greening Program and seeks to empower barangays, local governments, and communities to take a more active and sustained role in protecting forestlands, prioritizing native and endangered tree species.
โThe success of the National Greening Program shows what we can achieve when government and communities work together. By institutionalizing barangay-level participation, this bill strengthens accountability, continuity, and local ownershipโso forest protection and greening efforts endure for generations,โ Davao City 2nd District Rep. Omar Duterte said.
The proposed legislation seeks to codify into national law the Barangay Forest Program first introduced through a DENRโDILG Joint Memorandum Circular in 2013.
By institutionalizing barangay-level participation, the measure aims to empower local communities with firsthand knowledge of their natural resources, ensure continuity in forest management, and strengthen accountability at the grassroots.
Under the bill, barangays will be tasked to inventory forest resources in both public and private lands, which will be consolidated by cities and municipalities for planning purposes.
The measure also promotes the participation of forestry, natural resources, agricultural, and fisheries schools in program implementation and monitoring, with provisions for technical assistance and fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.
โClimate change is already affecting our communities, especially those living near forestlands and watersheds. This measure ensures that barangays are not just beneficiaries, but active partners in protecting and rehabilitating our forests. When local governments and communities are empowered, environmental programs become more effective and sustainable,โ Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte said.
The Davao City lawmakers said the bill recognizes that effective climate change adaptation and forest protection must begin at the community level, where environmental degradation is felt most directly.
โBy empowering barangays and institutionalizing their role in forest protection and greening, we strengthen local climate action and ensure that the gains of the National Greening Program are protected and sustained for future generations,โ they said.
