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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPU 
First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHlLlPPlNES 
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introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia Ill * '  ' * 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine coconut industry plays a key role in agricultural 
development. Twenty-seven percent of total agricultural land is used for coconut 
planting. 
68 out of 79 of our provinces are coconut areas. Furthermore, the 
coconut industry consists of 3.5 million coconut farmers and an estimate of 25 
million Filipinos are directly or indirectly dependent on the said industry. 
As of 2002, the industry is among the top 5 net foreign exchange earners 
for the country averaging $760 million per annum. Furthermore, it has cornered 
59% of the world market for coconuts. 
To further improve the condition of the coconut industry, this bill seeks to 
amend certain provisions of Republic Act 8048. Recognizing the expertise of the 
Philippine Coconut Producers Federation (COCOFED) in coconut planting and 
harvesting as well as other types of the coconut production, the bill authorizes the 
COCOFED, in addition to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), to issue permits 
to cut coconut trees. 
Moreover, the bill seeks to exempt coconut farmer-applicants from paying 
the P25 application fee, and in lieu thereof they shall be required to plant 2 
coconut seedling for every tree that they intend to cut. Also, the proposed bill 
stipulates that buyers of coconut lumber be required to provide coconut farmers 
with 5 seed-nuts for every coconut tree to be cut down. 
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In view hereof, the approval of this measure is highly recommended. 
SERGIO R. OSIWIENA 
III 
Senator 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPU 
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First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINE 
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[,LA 
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S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsrneAA'lll 
AN ACT 
AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO 8048 ENTITLED, 
"AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF TH 
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 Republic of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8048, is hereby amended to 
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read as follows: 
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"SECTION 3. 
Definitions of terms. - 
For purposes of this Act, the 
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following terms shall be defined as follows: 
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a) 
Coconut tree refers to a tall pinnate-leaved palm bearing a 
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large edible fruit called the coconut 
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b) 
Replanting program refers to the program formulated by the 
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Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to replenish the coconut trees which 
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have been permitted to be cut by the PCA 
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c) 
Permit refers to the written authorization of the PCA AND 
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COOFED allowing the cutting of coconut trees. 
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d) 
Economically unproductive farm refers to a coconut area 
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where the cost of farm production and maintenance is greater than the 
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generated proceeds or income for a period of at least three (3) years. 
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e) 
Senescent coconut trees are coconut trees which are 
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already overage, weak and no longer productive. 
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f) 
COCOFED 
REFERS 
7’0 PHILIPPINE 
COCONUT 
PRODUCERS FEDERATION, A PRIVATE NON-GOVERNMENTAL 
ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING COCONUT PRODUCERS AND 
FA R M E R S . ” 
SEC. 2. Sec. 5 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 5. 
Permif 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 6 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 pesos (PlO.00) of the fee 
shall accrue in favor of the PCA, Ten pesos (P10.00) in favor of the 
municipal government concerned, and Five pesos (P5.00) in favor of the 
barangay unit concerned. 
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 
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 the 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 ONE TREE INTENDED TO BE CUT. 
THE BUYERS OF COCONUT LIMBER SHALL BE REQUIRED 
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TO PROVIDE COCONUT FARMERS FIVE 95) SEEDNUTS FOR 
EVERY COCONUT TREE TO BE CUT 
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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.” 
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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. The 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.” 
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 COCOFED AND any local 
government unit, .to monitor and ensure compliance with ..this Act 
including its implementing rules and regulations. For this purpose, the 
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PCA may deputize the Philippine National Police or other law 
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enforcement agencies to investigate and apprehend those caught 
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violating the provisions of this Act, including the confiscation of illegally 
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cut trees 
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In addition to the foregoing, the PCA shall also, in coordination 
with the COCOFED AND local government unit concerned, require the 
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registration of all sawmills, lumberyards, coconut wood dealers and other 
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persons or entities dealing in the processing, sawing of the coconut 
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trees . ” 
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SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
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and regulations, or parts hereof inconsistent with the provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
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whichever comes earlier 
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Approved, 
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