Pampanga Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has introduced House Bill No. 6170

Pampanga Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has introduced House Bill No. 6170, a measure requiring every barangay, municipality, city, and province to develop designated “green spaces.”

Under the bill, “green spaces” refer to open areas designed with both soft landscaping (plants, trees, grass) and hard landscaping (walkways, fences, patios, and similar fixtures) meant for recreation, leisure, and community activities. These areas aim to support environmental health and enhance the physical and mental well-being of residents, especially those in highly urbanized communities.

HB 6170 mandates all LGUs to integrate the creation and upkeep of green spaces into their beautification and environmental programs, in line with national policy.
It also strictly prohibits cutting trees or plants within these spaces unless permitted for public safety or health reasons and in compliance with existing regulations. Littering, vandalism, improper waste disposal, and damage to park structures are likewise banned.

The World Health Organization recommends at least nine square meters of green space per person within a 15-minute walk — a standard many Philippine urban areas still fail to meet. According to the DENR, the country has around 12,152 hectares of urban green spaces, while 54% of Filipinos were living in urban areas as of 2020.

Source: Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr.