Core duties and enforcement functions
- The NETFORCE shall formulate plans of action to control the rampant cutting of coconut trees in violation of Republic Act (RA) 8048 and its implementing rules and regulations.
- The NETFORCE shall organize Regional Composite Teams composed of the member-agencies under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Philippine National Police to execute the plans of action.
- The Department of Justice shall designate investigators or prosecutors as members of the Regional Composite Teams to:
- investigate reports; and
- assist in the filing of the appropriate complaints for violations of Philippine Coconut Authority rules and regulations, RA 8048, and its pertinent implementing rules and regulations.
- The NETFORCE shall establish such number of detachment stations and designate roving inspectors and patrols to:
- monitor and report the cutting, processing, transport, or movement of coconut lumber by land, sea or air, and determine compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations;
- inspect and inquire into the proper establishment, operation, and registration of sawmills, chain/power saws, lumberyards, lumber dealers, and other persons or entities dealing with cutting, processing, transport, use, or sale of coconut lumber, and report findings to the Regional Composite Team;
- cause or effect the arrest of violators; and
- pending investigation, seize or confiscate illegally cut coconut trees or processed lumber and the power saws, chain saws, or other implements used in cutting or processing, as well as the vehicles used in transport.
Local government enforcement authority
- Local government units in whose jurisdiction illegally cut or processed coconut trees are transported shall verify the authenticity or validity of cutting permits and the type and volume of coconut trees or lumber covered by such permits.
- Pursuant to the Local Government Code (RA 7160), local government units shall have authority to:
- apprehend violators; and
- seize or confiscate illegally cut or processed coconut trees, including implements used in illegal cutting or processing, and vehicles used in transport or movement.
Administrative penalties and replacement replanting
- A responsible Philippine Coconut Authority official or barangay chairman/official (or both) found to have permitted, allowed, or otherwise tolerated violations of RA 8048 or its implementing rules, or found to have connived, conspired, or otherwise given special treatment, privilege, favor, or consideration in the commission of such violation, shall be suspended or dismissed from office in accordance with:
- the disciplinary provisions of the Omnibus Rules implementing Book V subtitle A of the Administrative Code of 1987; and/or
- the penal sanctions of RA 8048.
- The Philippine Coconut Authority provincial manager, coconut development officer, and the barangay chairman/official shall jointly ensure that any barangay area where coconut trees are cut is replanted with replacement seedlings within three (3) months from the date of cutting.
- Failure of these officials to cause replanting shall constitute prima facie evidence of violation and shall be sufficient to charge the responsible Philippine Coconut Authority and/or barangay officials under this section.
Support fund for NETFORCE operations
- The Philippine Coconut Authority shall allocate sufficient funds from its corporate operating budget to support NETFORCE operations, the regional composite teams, and detachment stations, including teams of inspectors and patrols organized under this Executive Order.
- The corporate operating budget allocation shall be augmented by at least ten percent (10%) from its share of the fees collected from the issuance of cutting permits.
Implementing guidelines and effectivity
- The NETFORCE shall adopt such implementing guidelines as may be necessary to implement Executive Order No. 213.
- Executive Order No. 213 takes effect immediately.