Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1468)
The title of Presidential Decree No. 1468 is the "Revised Coconut Industry Code."
The policy of the State is to promote the rapid integrated development and growth of the coconut and other palm oil industry in all its aspects and to ensure that coconut farmers become direct participants in and beneficiaries of such development and growth.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), an independent public corporation directly supervised by the President of the Philippines.
The PCA has powers to formulate development programs, implement replanting programs, distribute hybrid seednuts, conduct research, regulate copra marketing and exports, impose and collect levies, enter into contracts, issue subpoenas, and seize unlawfully possessed subsidized products, among others.
The Board consists of seven members appointed by the President: two government representatives (one as Chairman and one as Vice-Chairman), three members recommended by the Philippine Coconut Producers Federation, one by the United Coconut Association of the Philippines, and one by the hybrid coconut seednut farm operator.
The Coconut Consumers Stabilization Fund Levy, imposed on every 100 kilos of copra resecada or its equivalent, payable by copra exporters, oil millers, dessicators, and other end-users of copra or its equivalents.
It provides subsidies for coconut-based products, refunds premium duty on copra, finances developmental and operating expenses of the Philippine Coconut Producers Federation, funds establishments of coconut industries, and finances social benefits for coconut farmers like insurance coverage.
A permanent fund administered by the bank acquired for the benefit of coconut farmers to finance the hybrid seednut farm, purchase seednuts for free distribution, support the replanting program, extension services, and investments for the benefit of coconut farmers.
Violators may be fined up to P20,000 and imprisoned for up to five years. In the case of corporations or juridical persons, responsible officers are penalized. Aliens may be deported, and naturalized citizens may have their certificates canceled.
Such products shall be confiscated and sold by the Philippine Coconut Authority, with the proceeds becoming part of the Coconut Consumers Stabilization Fund, in addition to the penalties imposed on the violators.
The Coconut Coordinating Council (CCC), Philippine Coconut Administration (PHILCOA), and Philippine Coconut Research Institute (PHILCORIN) were abolished and their functions transferred to the PCA.
Collections are deposited immediately, interest-free, into the account of the coconut farmers at the bank acquired under PD 755, and cannot be withdrawn for unauthorized purposes until the nationwide replanting program is fully implemented.
No, the Authority cannot require disclosure of competitive information or trade secrets such as buyer names or selling prices.
The PCA can authorize officers to enter premises suspected of holding subsidized products, seize unlawfully possessed products, and stop and search vehicles suspected of carrying such products unlawfully.