Question & AnswerQ&A (PCA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 01, S. 2014)
The rules and regulations are known as 'The Rules and Regulations Implementing Executive Order No. 169, Series of 2014.'
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is designated as the lead agency.
PCA must cooperate with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (OPAFSAM), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), National Crop Protection Center (NCPC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and appropriate Local Government Units (LGUs).
The PCA can (a) formulate emergency measures in treating coconut trees; (b) declare infested areas under quarantine; (c) establish checkpoints and quarantine stations to control transportation of coconut materials; (d) grant Permits to Transport; and (e) exercise other powers necessary for enforcement under the Revised Coconut Industry Code.
Without a Permit to Transport issued by the PCA, no coconut leaves/fronds, young coconuts, raw or untreated coconut products, coco seedlings, or seedlings of insect host plants shall be transported outside of quarantined barangays, municipalities, or provinces.
PCA officials or their deputized quarantine officers may inspect coconut farms for insect infestation with prior coordination and consent of landowners or authorized representatives. Where owners are absent, PCA can enter with approval from local barangay officials but cannot forcibly enter.
Applicants must request inspection by Deputized Plant Quarantine Inspectors (DPQI) two days before transport; applicants must have PCA Certificates of Registration; permits are valid for five days and single use; and only deputized PCA or designated personnel may issue permits.
Transportation of prohibited commodities like fresh abukoa and coconut seedlings is not allowed without a valid Domestic Permit to Transport issued by the PCA.
Random inspections are done; the transporter must present a valid Domestic Permit; pest-free commodities are marked with 'PASSED'; infested or unpermitted materials are referred for treatment or confiscated; non-commercial transporters may pass subject to inspection and treatment.
First offense: confiscation of illegally transported materials; Second offense: confiscation plus a fine of PHP 1,000; Third and subsequent offenses: confiscation plus a fine of PHP 5,000.
Violators may be ordered to return the goods to origin, have the goods cleaned or treated, or face outright confiscation and destruction of the commodities.
BPI may deputize personnel of PCA, Philippine National Police (PNP), and other law enforcement to investigate, apprehend violators, and confiscate prohibited materials.
They shall be properly disposed of by burning or burying by the PCA Deputized Plant Quarantine Inspectors (DPQI).
Transport without valid or expired Domestic Permit to Transport, falsification of permits, and misdeclaration or misrepresentation.
No, the PCA or its deputized officers cannot forcibly enter any coconut farm.