Ianna Carmel Y.

Quitayen
LLB – 1

I bet everyone is familiar with a coconut tree! The Coconut tree is labelled as “the
Tree of Life”. The coconut has a lot of benefits both as a fruit and as a tree because
its seeds, its leaves, its bark and even its roots are useful! And precisely because of
that, it is of great importance that we do not take advantage of it by simply cutting it
down without being regulated. Yes, we need permission to cut down a coconut tree.
The Government of the Philippines took the initiative of regulating the unabated and
indiscriminate cutting of these trees, and protecting these trees from exploitation by
enacting Republic Act No. 8048 as amended by Republic Act No. 10593, otherwise
known as “The Coconut Preservation Act of 1995”

1. When can a coconut tree be cut?

Under Section 4 of R.A. No. 8048 as amended in Section 1 of R.A. No. 10593,
“No coconut tree shall be cut except only in the following cases and only after
a permit had been issued:
a. When the tree is sixty years old in case of tall varieties, and at least forty
years old for dwarf varieties;
b. When the tree is no longer economically productive;
c. When the tree is severely damaged by typhoon or lightning;
d. When the agricultural land devoted to coconut production shall have been
converted in accordance with law into a residential, commercial or
industrial areas;
e. 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 Philippine
Coconut Authority until after it shall have been verified and certified that
for a period of at least three 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
f. When the tree would cause hazard to life and property.

And under Section 5 of R.A. No. 8048, No permit to cut shall be granted unless
the applicant, in coordination with the Philippine Coconut Authority and the
local government unit concerned, has already planted the equivalent number
of coconut trees applied for to be cut.

2. A permit to cut must first be secured before cutting a coconut tree, who
issues the permit?
 By clear mandate in Section 6 of R.A. No. 8048, the Philippine Coconut
Authority or PCA shall have the exclusive authority to grant permit for the
cutting of coconut trees and this authority may be delegated to the city or
municipal mayors as the PCA may determine.
3. Who implements the rules under R.A. No. 8048 as amended by R.A. No.
10593?
Also by clear mandate under Section 7 of R.A. No. 8048 as amended in Section
4 of R.A. No. 10593, The Philippine Coconut Authority shall be the lead agency
to implement the provisions of the Act. For this purpose, the Philippine
Coconut Authority shall prescribe the necessary rules and regulations for the
immediate and effective implementation of the Act.

4. What are the penalties should anyone violate the provisions under The
Coconut Preservation Act of 1995?
As provided under Section 8 of R.A. No. 8048 as amended in Section 5 of R.A.
10593, those found guilty of violating the Act or any rule and regulations
issued pursuant thereto shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment
of not less than two years but not more than six years, or a fine of not less
than one hundred thousand pesos but not more than five hundred thousand
pesos, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Considering the weight of the coconut industry in nation building being one of the
principal industries and one of the largest income earners of the country, it is vital
that we see to it that we abide with the regulations set by the Government. Just like
the Filipinos, these trees are versatile and capable of doing a lot of work at one time
for the benefit of the country and its people. Let’s help these trees and the economy
by a simple gesture of following the rules. If you have any plans to cut a coconut tree,
please secure your permits from the Philippine Coconut Authority’s provincial office
in Agusan del Norte, which is located in Cinderella Arcade Building, North Montilla
Boulevard, Butuan City and should you have other queries, visit the regional office of
the Philippine Coconut Authority in Yu Building, South Montilla Boulevard, Butuan
City.

References:
1. Republic Act No. 8048
2. Republic Act No. 10593