BALER, Aurora — Thou shalt not cut coconut trees. This was the command issued by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) effective this December in this province.
Violators face jail terms from two to five years and fine worth from P100,000 to P500,000, the agency said.
Memorandum Circular No. 05 issued by PCA Administrator Euclides Forbes contained the moratorium on the cutting of coconut trees, designed to boost coconut production in the country as well as a measure to help curtail the adverse effects of climate change.
The PCA said it has already met with coconut traders and coco lumber dealers in the province to inform them of the moratorium, telling them also that all permits for the transport of their coconut products have been temporarily suspended for the duration of the moratorium.
Any violator who is a government employee would also be fired and banned perpetually from being employed anew in government.
