By RALPH JOHN MIJARES
ROXAS City — Councilor Powell del Rosario believes that environmental responsibility should come with getting recognized as a married couple.
He proposed an ordinance requiring would-be couples to plant a tree as a requirement for the issuance of their marriage license from the Civil Registrar here.
“Many couples are not aware of the need to keep a balanced ecology,” del Rosario stressed.
Once approved, the ordinance will “ensure people’s participation in the drive to replenish the dwindling number of trees,” he said.
His proposal stated that couples may plant trees at their backyard or anywhere near their house.
They can seek help from the Barangay Council, City Agriculture Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources or the Department of Public Works and Highways in identifying tree-planting sites.
Barangays with no space for tree-planting areas can allow planting of trees in pots, it said.
Trees to be planted along roads must conform to Sections 2 and 3 of City Ordinance 006-2014, also authored by del Rosario.
Section 2 of the said ordinance provides for the suitable tree species and vegetation for urban forestry, while Section 3 specifies how such trees will be planted.
Also, the proposed ordinance said the barangay captain or the councilman serving as environment committee chair shall certify the couple’s compliance, which must be submitted to the Civil Registrar along with other requirements for the approval and release of marriage license.
Planting a tree will be a requirement for couples alongside attending a pre-marriage seminar and seminars on sex education, responsible parenthood and family planning, del Rosario’s proposal stated.
Government officials or employees violating the proposed ordinance will be subject to the provisions of Section 511 (b) of the Local Government Code and the Civil Service Rules and Regulations, it added./PN
