Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8048, hereby renumbered as Section 8, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 8. Implementing Rules. The Philippine Coconut Authority shall be the lead agency to implement the provisions of this Act. For this purpose, the Philippine Coconut Authority shall prescribe the necessary rules and regulations for the immediate and effective implementation of this Act.

"The PCA, in order to effectively implement the provisions of this Act, may request the assistance of any local government unit, to monitor and ensure compliance with this Act including its implementing rules and regulations. For this purpose, the PCA may deputize the Philippine National Police or other law enforcement agencies to investigate and apprehend those caught violating the provisions of this Act, including the confiscation of illegally cut coconut trees. In order to prevent wastage, the PCA shall order the immediate disposition of confiscated coconut lumber in a manner to be determined by the PCA.

"In addition to the foregoing, the PCA shall also, in coordination, with the local government unit concerned, require the registration of all sawmills, lumberyards, coconut wood dealers and other persons or entities dealing in the processing and sawing of coconut trees."