FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
,SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 450 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The current industry comprises a substantial sector of Philippine 
agriculture, It is a major source of our export earnings with an average receipt of 
at least $800 million a year from the export of thirty (30) traditional and non-
traditional coconut products and' by-products, Popularly known as "tree of life", 
about twenty (20) million Filipinos or almost one-third (1/3) of the population 
depends on the industry for their livelihood. 
The Philippines is said to be the largest producer of coconut oil in the 
world accounting 60 to 80 percent of the total supply in the world market. 
However, statistics show that there is a continuing decline in coconut production. 
Decrease in production is attributed partly to the senility of trees, poor soil 
nutrition and improper farming practices, rampant cutting of coconut trees for 
timber, the low price of copra and land conversion to avoid land reform, as well 
as due to typhoons and droughts. 
On June 7, 1985, R.A. 8048 entitled "An Act Providing for the Regulation 
of the Cutting of Coconut Trees, Its Replenishment, Providing Penalties therefore 
And for other Purposes" was enacted. The law provides for the regulation of 
cutting of coconut trees to prevent ecological imbalance and severe economic 
dislocation of coconut farmers. 
It empowers the Philippine Coconut Authority 
(PCA) to issue permits to cut coconut trees; to collect twenty-five peso 
application fee; and require coconut farmers to plant coconut equivalent to the 
number of trees to be cut. Despite the enactment of R.A. 8048, the problems 
plaguing the coconut industry are not fully resolved. 
This bill therefore, seeks to improve the condition of the coconut industry, 
principally by authorizing a private non-governmental organization, the Philippine 
Coconut Producers Federation (COCOFED), to represent coconut producers and 
farmers. Since it has expertise in determining proper agricultural methods in 
coconut growing, harvesting and other coconut production. It can render 
invaluable assistance to design policies providing incentives for the growth of 
coconut industry. This proposed measure mandates PCA and COCOFED to 
evaluate and approve applications to cut coconut trees to avoid indiscriminate 
cutting. The bill also seeks to exempt coconut farmer-applicants from paying 
twenty-five (25) peso application fees to assist them, especially during times of 
economic difficulties when every centavo counts for them. 


This measure requires applicants to plant two coconut trees for every tree 
to be cut to prevent the extinction of coconut trees. However, buyers of coconut 
lumber shall give farmers five (5) seed nuts for every tree to be cut. This is 
intended to enhance the consciousness of the community on the importance of 
tree planting. 
For the foregoing reasons, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. <150 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8048 ENTITLED, 
"AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF THE CUTTING OF 
COCONUT 
TREES, 
ITS 
REPLENISHMENT 
PROVIDING 
PENALTIES 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 84908 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
SEC 3. For purpose of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as 
follows: 
(a) Coconut tree refers to a tall pinnate-leaved palm bearing 
a large edible fruit called the coconut. 
(b) Replanting program refers to the program formulated by 
the Philippine Coconut Authority 
(c) Permit refers to the written authorization of the PCA and 
COCOFED allowing the cutting of coconut trees. 
(d) Economically unproductive farm refers to a coconut area 
where the cost of farm production and maintenance is 
greater than the generated proceeds or income for a 
period of at lea~t three (3) years. 
(e) Senescent coconut trees are coconut trees which are 
overage, weak and no longer productive. 
(f) COCOFED REFERS TO PHILIPPINE 
COCONUT 
PRODUCERS FEDERATION, 
A 
PRIVATE NON-
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING 
COCONUT PRODUCERS AND FARMERS. 
SEC. 2. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SEC 5. 
Permit to Cut. No coconut tree or trees shall be cut unless a 
permit therefore, upon due application being made, has been issued by the PCA 
pursuant to Section of this Act. 


The applicant shall pay an application fee in the amount of twenty-five 
pesos (P25.00) for every tree intended to be cut payable to the PCA. 
HOWEVER, 
FARMER-APPLICANTS ARE 
HEREBY EXEMPTED FROM 
PAYING SAID FEE. Ten (P10.00) of the fee shall accrue in favor of the PCA, 
Ten pesos (P10.00) in favor of the municipal government covered, and Five 
(5.00) in favor of the barangay unit covered. The fees shall be used for the 
PCA's replanting program and for the repair and rehabilitation of roads of the 
respective local government units which have been damaged by the continuous 
passage of heavy vehicles used for transporting coconut lumber. 
No permit to cut shall be granted unless the applicant, in coordination with 
the PCA, COCOFED and local government units concerned, has already planted 
the equivalent number of coconut trees applied for to be cut. 
HOWEVER, 
COCONUT FARMER-APPLICANTS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PLANT TWO 
(2) COCONUT SEEDLINGS FOR ONE THREE INTENDED TO BE CUT. 
THE BUYERS OF COCONUT LUMBER SHALL BE REQUIRED TO 
PROVIDE 
COCONUT 
FARMERS 
FIVE 
(5) 
SEEDNUTS 
FOR 
EVERY 
COCONUT TREE TO BE CUT. 
Such replantings, however, shall not apply to areas converted into 
industrial, commercial or residential sites or land transformed in accordance with 
law, into other agricultural purposes. 
The PCA, in coordination with the COCOFED AND local government unit 
concerned, shall regulate and oversee the planting, fertilization and care of the 
newly planted coconut trees, for this purpose, it shall be incumbent upon the 
PCA to conduct from time to time, on-the-spot inspections of the sites where the 
coconut trees have been planted . 
.. 
SEC. 3. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SEC 6. Authority to Cut. The Philippine Coconut Authority 
[shall have the exclusive authority to grant permit for the 
cutting of coconut trees} AND COCOFED SHALL, UPON 
PROPER EVALUATION OF ALL APPLICATIONS TO CUT 
COCONUT TREES, ISSUE A PERMIT THEREOF. This 
authority may be delegated to the city or municipal mayors 
as the PCA determine, PROVIDED, THAT THE CITY OR 
MUNICIPAL 
MAYORS 
SHALL 
COORDINATE 
WITH 
COCOFED 
IN 
EVALUATING 
ANY 
APPLICATION 
BEFORE ITS APPROVAL. 
SEC. 4. 
Section 7 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"SEC 7. 
Implementing Rules. 
The Philippine Coconut 
Authority shall be the lead agency to implement the 
provisions of this' Act. 
For this purpose, the Philippine 
Coconut Authority shall [prescribe.], COORDINATE AND 
CONSULT WITH THE COCOFED IN PRESCRIBING THE 
necessary rules and regulations for the immediate and 
effective implementation of this Act. 
The PCA, in order to effectively implement the 
provisions of this 'Act, may request the assistance of the 
COCO FED AND any local government unit, to monitor and 
ensure compliance with this Act including its implementing 
rules and regulati,ons. 
For this purpose, the PCA may 
deputize the Philippine National Police or other law 


enforcement agencies to investigate and apprehend those 
caught violating the provisions of this Act, including the 
confiscation of illegally cut coconut trees. 
In addition to the foregoing, the PCA shall also, in 
coordination with COCOFED AND local government unit 
concerned, 
require 
the 
registration 
of 
all 
sawmills, 
lumberyards, coconl,lt wood dealers and other persons of 
entities dealing in the processing, sawing of coconut trees. 
SEC. 5. 
Repealing Clause. 
All existing laws, executive orders, 
presidential decrees, rules and regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,