Philippines: Students to plant 10 trees if they want to graduate

It's estimated that over 525 billion trees can be planted under the initiative.

Philippines has passed a law requiring all graduating college and high school students to plant at least 10 trees each before they are allowed to graduate.

If properly implemented, it is estimated that the Filipino law, which seeks to combat global climate change could result in as many as 525 billion trees being planted in a generation.

According to the Magdalo Party representative Gary Alejano who’s behind the legislation, at least 175 million trees would be planted annually.

"With over 12 million students graduating from elementary and nearly five million students graduating from high school and almost 500,000 graduating from college each year, this initiative, if properly implemented, will ensure that at least 175 million new trees would be planted each year.

“In the course of one generation, no less than 525 billion trees can be planted under this initiative,” he said.

“Even with a survival rate of only 10 per cent, this would mean an additional 525 million trees would be available for the youth to enjoy, when they assume the mantle of leadership in the future,” added Magdalo.

According to the Independent, the country's Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education will implement and ensure compliance with the bill.

During the 20^th century, the Philippines’ forest cover dropped from 70 per cent to just 20 per cent, making the Asian country one of the world’s most severely deforested.