A proposed bill filed in congress is looking to make car purchases a little more carbon-friendly. House Bill 8337  or the Mandatory Tree Planting for Every Motor Vehicle Sales Act wants dealers to plant ten (10) trees for every car sold. 

Congressman Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. came up with the “Mandatory Tree Planting for Every Motor Vehicle Sales Act” that mandates that dealers plant 10 trees for every vehicle sold. Here’s a short excerpt from the bill:

“All dealers, retailers, and similar entities which are engaged in the sale of motor vehicles shall be required to plant at least ten (10) trees for every sales transaction. This requirement of tree planting shall be accomplished within six (6) months from the date of the sales transaction as reflected in the official receipt issued to the buyer.”

This bill only includes four (4) wheeled road vehicles designed to carry passengers, such as sedans, coupes, station wagons, convertibles, pickups, vans, sports utility vehicles, Asian utility vehicles, and the like. Motorcycles, delivery trucks, buses, cranes, trailers, tractors, and such are excluded from the bill. 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be responsible for ensuring that sellers follow this bill. As for the location of tree planting, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be providing the list of accredited places where it is suitable to plant trees.

Violators shall be fined an amount not exceeding P10,000 for every tree not planted. Repeated non-compliance for two (2) years within a five (5) year period shall result in a fine not exceeding P20,000 for every tree not planted. Repeated non-compliance for three (3) or more years within a five (5) year period shall result in a fine not exceeding P30,000 for every tree not planted.

As of the moment of writing, House Bill 8337 has yet to pass the first reading. If this becomes a law, this would benefit the country in the long run. We don’t really see any cons to this bill and we are personally excited and hoping this bill comes to life.