S. No. 1751 S. No.

3366
H. No. 13527 H. No. 6131

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the

twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8048 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10593

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE SALIENT PROVISIONS OF RA 10593 “AN ACT AMENDING
REGULATION OF THE CUTTING OF CERTAIN SECTIONS OF RA 8048”
COCONUT TREES, ITS REPLENISHMENT,
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC
FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 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 Representative Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
of the Philippines in Congress assembled: Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the

“Coconut Preservation Act of 1995.“

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - Considering the

importance of the coconut industry in nation
building being one of the principal industries and
one of the largest income earners of the country,
it becomes mandatory for the Government to
step-in and regulate the unabated and
indiscriminate cutting of the coconut trees. For
reasons of national interest, it is hereby declared
the policy of the State to provide for the
regulation of the cutting of coconut tress as well
as to promote the growth of the industry by
embarking on a sustainable and efficient
replanting program.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes 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 (PCA) to replenish the coconut
trees which have been permitted to be
cut by the PCA.
c) Permit refers to the written authorization of
the PCA allowing the cutting of coconut
tress.
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 least three (3) years.
e) Senescent coconut trees are coconut trees
which already overage, weak and no
longer productive.

SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act. No. 8048, also

known as the “Coconut Preservation Act of 1995″, is
hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 4. Prohibition. - No coconut tree shall be “SEC. 4. Prohibition. – No coconut tree shall
cut except in the following cases and only after a be cut except in the following cases and only
permit had been issued therefor: after a permit had been issued therefor:

a) When the tree is sixty (60) years old; “(a) When the tree is sixty (60) years old in
the case of tall varieties, and at least forty
(40) years old for dwarf varieties;

b) When the tree is no longer economically “(b) When the tree is no longer economically
productive; productive;

c) When the tree is disease-infected. “(c) When the tree is severely disease-
infested and beyond rehabilitation;

d) When the tree is damaged by typhoon or “(d) When the tree is severely damaged by
lightning; typhoon or lightning;

e) When the agricultural land devoted to coconut “(e) When the agricultural land devoted to
production shall have been converted in coconut production shall have been
accordance with law into residential, converted in accordance with law into
commercial or industrial areas; residential, commercial or industrial areas;

f) When the land devoted to coconut production
shall be converted into other agricultural
uses or other agriculture-related activities
in pursuance to a conversion duly applied
for by the owner and approved by the
proper authorities: Provided, that no
conversion shall be allowed by the PCA
until after it shall have been verified and
certified that for a period of at least three
“(f) When the land devoted to coconut
production shall be converted into other
agricultural uses or other agriculture-related
activities in pursuance to a conversion duly
applied for by the owner and approved by
the proper authorities: Provided, That no
conversion shall be allowed by the PCA until
after it shall have been verified and certified
that for a period of at least three (3) years
 (3) years the majority of the coconut trees
have become senescent and economically
unproductive or where the coconut farm
is not adaptable to sound management
practices on account of geographical
location, topography, drainage and other
conditions rendering the farm
economically unproductive; and
g) When the tree would cause hazard to life and
property.
No other causes other than those above-
mentioned shall be considered as a valid
ground for cutting.
SECTION 2. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8048 is hereby
amended to read as follows:
SECTION 5. Permit to Cut. - No coconut tree or trees
shall be cut unless a permit therefor, upon due
application being made, have 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 (P25.00) for every
tree intended to cut payable to the PCA. Ten
pesos (P10.00) 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 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 and
the majority of the coconut trees have
become senescent and economically
unproductive or where the coconut farm is
not adaptable to sound management
practices on account of geographical location,
topography, drainage and other conditions
rendering the farm economically
unproductive; and
“(g) When the tree would cause hazard to life
and property.
“No other causes other than those
abovementioned shall be considered as a
valid ground for cutting.”
“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 6 of
this Act.
“The applicant shall pay an application fee in
the amount of One hundred Pesos (P100.00)
for every tree intended to be cut payable to
the PCA. Forty Pesos (P40.00) of the fee shall
accrue in favor of the PCA, Forty Pesos
(P40.00) in favor of the municipal
government concerned, and Twenty Pesos
(P20.00) in favor of the barangay unit
concerned. The fees allocated to the PCA
shall be used for its replanting program and
the fees allocated to the municipal/city
government shall be used 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.
“Fees herein collected shall be deposited
with the nearest Land Bank of the Philippines
branch or other government depository
banks. Fees accruing to the local government
unit shall be remitted within three (3) months
in accordance with existing Commission on
Audit (COA) rules and regulations.
“No permit to cut shall be granted unless the
applicant has secured from the barangay
 the local government unit concerned has already
planted the equivalent number of coconut trees
applied for to be cut.
Such replanting, 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 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.
SECTION 6. Authority to Cut. - The Philippine Coconut
authority shall have the exclusive authority to
grant permit for the cutting of coconut trees.
This authority may be delegated to the city or
municipal mayors as the PCA may determine.
SECTION 3. A new Section 7 is hereby inserted after
Section 6 of this Act, to read as follows:
captain of the locality where the cutting will
be done, a certification under oath that
he/she has already planted the equivalent
number of coconut trees applied for to be
cut.
“Such replanting, 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 local
government unit concerned, shall verify if a
replanting was implemented and regulate
and oversee the 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. 7. Police Powers. – The PCA shall be
vested with the authority to exercise duly
delegated police powers for the proper
performance of its functions and duties, to
wit:
“(a) Investigate suspected violations of this
Act;
“(b) Arrest and apprehend any person
actually committing or attempting to
commit an offense under this Act;
“(c) Arrest and apprehend possessor of
coconut lumber without the necessary
permit as required under this Act;
“(d) Search and seize a moving vehicle with
illegally cut, gathered, collected or removed

SECTION 4. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8048, hereby
renumbered as Section 8, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
SECTION 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 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 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 confiscation of illegally
cut coconut trees.
coconut lumber: Provided, That probable
cause for the search is established;
“(e) Stop the transport and/or shipment of
coconut lumber without authority or
without legal documents in accordance with
pertinent laws, regulations or policies on the
matter;
“(f) Confiscate and forfeit in favor of the
government the illegally cut, gathered,
collected, removed, possessed or
abandoned coconut lumber, as well as the
machinery, equipment, implements and
tools illegally used in the commission of the
offense and to dispose of the same in
accordance with pertinent laws, regulations
or policies on the matter; and
“(g) Seek the assistance of other law
enforcement agencies for the efficient and
effective implementation of this Act.”
“SEC. 8. 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 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 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 confiscation of illegally cut coconut trees.
In order to prevent wastage, the PCA shall
order the immediate disposition of
confiscated coconut lumber in a manner to
be determined by the PCA.
 In additions to the foregoing, the PCA
shall also, in coordination with the local
government unit concerned, require the
registration of all sawmills, lumberyards, coconut
wood dealers and other persons or entities
dealing in the processing, sawing of coconut
trees.
“In addition to the foregoing, the PCA shall
also, in coordination, with the local
government unit concerned, require the
registration of all sawmills, lumberyards,
coconut wood dealers and other persons or
entities dealing in the processing and sawing
of coconut trees.”

SECTION 5. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8048, hereby

renumbered as Section 9, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

SECTION 8. Penalties. - Those found guilty of violating
this Act or any rules and regulations issued
pursuant hereto shall, upon conviction, be
punished by imprisonment of not less than one
(1) year but not more than six (6) years, or a fine
of not less than Fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) but not more than Five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or both, in the
discretion of the court.
“SEC. 9. Penalties. – Those found guilty of
violating this Act or any rules and regulations
issued pursuant hereto shall, upon
conviction, be punished by imprisonment of
not less than two (2) years but not more
than six (6) years, or a fine of not less than
One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00)
but not more than Five Hundred Thousand
Pesos (P500,000.00), or both, at the
discretion of the court.

If the offender is a corporation or a “If the offender is a corporation or a juridical

juridical entity, the official who ordered or entity, the official who ordered, or allowed
allowed the commission of the offense shall be the commission of the offense shall be
punished with the same penalty. punished with the same penalty.

If the offender is in the government
service, he shall, in addition, be dismissed from
office.
“If the offender is in the government service,
he shall, in addition be dismissed from office.
“Upon verification by the PCA that no
replanting was done, the barangay captain
who issued the certification shall, upon
conviction, be penalized with imprisonment
of not less than three (3) years but not more
than seven (7) years and a fine of not less
than One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) but not more than One
million pesos (P1,000,000.00). Furthermore,
the barangay captain concerned shall be
perpetually disqualified from holding any
other public office.”

SECTION 6. The succeeding sections are hereby

renumbered accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any part or SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part
section of this Act is declared unconstitutional, hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder
 such declaration shall not affect the other parts of the law or the provisions not otherwise affected shall
or section of this Act. remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, issuances or
decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby
inconsistent with any provisions of this Act shall repealed or modified accordingly.
be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect
effect upon its approval. after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
APPROVED. Approved,

(SGD) JOSE DE VENECIA. JR (SGD) EDGARDO J. ANGARA FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR. JUAN PONCE ENRILE
Speaker of the House of Representative President of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1751 and House Bill No. 13527 was finally This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3366 and House Bill No. 6131 was finally
passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on June 02, 1995. passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 28, 2013 and January 30,
2013, respectively.

(SGD) CAMILO L. SABIO (SGD) EDGARDO E. TUMANGAN MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP EDWIN B. BELEN
Secretary General House of Representative Secretary of the Senate Secretary General House of Representatives Acting Senate Secretary

APPROVED: Approved:

(SGD) FIDEL V. RAMOS BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines President of the Philippines
June 07, 1995 May 29, 2013