Stiffer penalties for violators of Coconut Preservation Act

CEBU, Philippines - In order to preserve the coconut trees, the House of Representatives has approved on final reading the stiffer penalties for violation of Republic Act 8048 known as the Coconut Preservation Act.

Under the law, if found guilty for violating RA 8048, accused is sentence to imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, or a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P500,000 or both in discretion of the court

However, in House Bill 6131 approved by Congress, violators of RA 8048 will be meted imprisonment of not less than two years instead of one year but not more than six years or a fine of not less than P100,000 instead of P50,000 but not more than P500,000 or both in discretion of the court.

Batangas Representative Mark Llandro Mendoza, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food endorsed the bill for plenary approval.

Mendoza said the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is given the authority to exercise police powers to investigate, search and seize; arrest or apprehend violators of this act.

He added the applicant is allowed to cut coconut tree if it is 60 years old, no longer productive or if the tree is disease-infested and damaged by typhoon or lightning.

Mendoza likewise recommended that the cutting of trees may be done only during the months of October, November and December.

Meanwhile, in House Resolution 1689 filed by Rep. Danilo Suarez, he said there is a need to revise and increase the permit fees collected from cutting coconut trees due to its demand and to sustain the funds for the replanting of cut trees.

In a press release, Suarez said that for every tree intended to be cut, the P25 application fee will be increased to P100.

“Of the amount, P40 shall accrue in favor of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), P40 in favor of the municipal government concerned, and P20 in favor of the barangay unit concerned,” he said.

Suarez added that the fees for PCA are intended for the replanting program while the fees for municipal government will be used for the repair and rehabilitation of the roads.

Under the law, Section 5 of RA 8048 “the applicant shall pay an application fee in the amount of P25 for every tree intended to be cut payable to the PCA.

“Out of P25, P10 shall accrue in favor of the PCA, P10 in favor of the municipal government concerned and P5 in favor of the barangay unit concerned.” — (FREEMAN)