Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 213)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 213 is to constitute the National Enforcement Task Force on Coconut Tree Conservation (NETFORCE) to regulate the cutting of coconut trees and to ensure the implementation of sustainable replanting programs under Republic Act No. 8048.
Republic Act No. 8048, also known as the "Coconut Tree Preservation Act of 1995," is the primary law enforced by the National Enforcement Task Force on Coconut Tree Conservation.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture serves as the Chairman of the National Enforcement Task Force on Coconut Tree Conservation.
NETFORCE is tasked to formulate plans of action to control illegal cutting of coconut trees, organize regional composite teams to execute these plans, and establish detachment stations and roving patrols to monitor and enforce compliance with RA 8048 and related regulations.
Local government units (LGUs) have the authority to verify the validity of cutting permits, apprehend violators, and seize or confiscate illegally cut or processed coconut trees, implements used for illegal cutting or processing, and vehicles involved in transportation of illicit coconut lumber.
Such officials may be suspended or dismissed from office pursuant to the disciplinary provisions of the Omnibus Rules and/or penal sanctions under RA 8048 for permitting, allowing, or giving special treatment in violations of the law.
The Philippine Coconut Authority provincial manager, coconut development officer, and barangay officials must ensure that areas where coconut trees are cut are replanted within three months from the date of cutting.
The Philippine Coconut Authority shall allocate sufficient funds from its corporate operating budget, augmented by at least 10% from fees collected from cutting permits, to support NETFORCE’s operations and related enforcement activities.
Members include: Secretary of Agriculture (Chairman), Administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (Co-Chairman), Secretaries of Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, Chief of the Philippine National Police, Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, and Administrator of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.
The Department of Justice designates investigators or prosecutors to be members of the Regional Composite Teams to investigate violations and assist in filing complaints for breaches of RA 8048 and related regulations.