THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. NCl.10 8 6) 
introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The coconut 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 (113) 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, 1995, RA. 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 trees 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, hEvesting and qther coconut production. It can render invaluable assistance 
to design policies providing incentives for the growth of the 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. 
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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) seednuts 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. 
L 
0 ESTRADA 


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38 plbb:25 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.B. NO. 
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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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled? 
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SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8048 is hereby amended to read as 
fo I lows: 
“SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
be defined as follows: 
Coconut tree refers to a tall pinnate-leaved palm bearing a large edible fruit 
called the coconut. 
Replanting program refers to the program formulated by the Philippine 
Coconut Authority (PCA) to replenish the coconut trees that have 
been permitted to be cut by the PCA. 
Permit refers to the written authorization of the PCA AND COCOFED 
allowing the cutting of coconut trees. 
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 least three (3) years. 
Senescent coconut trees are coconut trees which are already overage, weak 
and no longer productive. 
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COCOFED 
REFERS 
TO 
PHILIPPINE 
COCONUT 
PRODUCERS 
FEDERATION, A PRIVATE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION 
REPRESENTING COCONUT PRODUCERS AND FARNIEWS. 
SECTION 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 (P5.00) in favor of the barangay unit covered. The fees 
shall be used for the PCAs 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 unit 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 ONETREE 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 re plantings, however, shall not apply to areas converted into industrial, 
commercial or residential sites or land transformed in accordance with law, into other 
agricultural purposes. 
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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 


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from time to time, on-the-spot inspections of the sites where the coconut trees have been 
planted. 
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SECTION 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 may determine. 
PROVIDED, THAT THE CITY OR 
MUNICIPAL MAYORS SHALL COORDINATE WITH COCOFED IN EVALUATING ANY 
APPLICATION BEFORE ITS APPROVAL. 
SECTION 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, thephilippine 
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 COGOFED AND any local government unit, to monitor and ensure 
compliance with this Act including its implementing rules and regulations. 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-eonfiscatio'i4 of- illegally cut coconut trees. 
In addition to the foregoing, the PCA shall also, in coordination with the 
COCOFED AND local government unit concerned, require the registration of all sawmills, 
lumberyards, coconut wood dealers and other persons of entities dealing in the 
processing, sawing of coconut trees. 


SECTION 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. 
SECTION 6. Effecfivify. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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