~=--:~=~=~==~-====~~=---:::;'"=~-=---~ =""'== _:ou::=...-=o--====-==--=n:-..t=dJ·.~~-==== Specific sub-sectors of Philippine agribusiness, such as based on crops or plants produced, are required to abide with several other rules and regulations that are being administered by certain specialized government agencies. For example, companies involved in the palm oil industry must coordinate with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). 26 PCA is mandated by Presidential Decree No. 1468 or the Revised Coconut Industry Code to formulate and adopt a general program of development for the coconut and other palm oil industry in all its aspects. Its Manual of Operations 27 would show that one of its frontline services is to collect accreditation fee on coconut seednuts/seedlings producers and oil palm nurseries, which accreditation is valid either for one or two years, depending on the need of the producers. PCA also processes applications for "Certificate of Inspection & Verification for Land Use Conversion" for lands planted with coconut, which is related to its exclusive authority28 to grant permit for the cutting of coconut trees. However, a review of PCA's accomplishment reports from 2010 to 2014, as posted in its official website29 do not contain data on how it implemented such mandate pertaining to the palm oil industry. It would also appear that PCA's regulatory powers over the palm oil industry are not clearly defined in contrast with the coconut industry. Notably, this has been the observation of civil society3° who asserted that the PCA believes that it is only through the leadership of the private sector that the palm oil industry can be catapulted to sustained growth. Thus for the past years, promotion and expansion of the industry has largely been propelled by investors (owners and heads of palm oil mills/processors and oil palm growers/planters) and with support from other government bodies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and also Local Government Units in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Agusan, Bukidnon, Bohol and Palawan, among others. Regulation of agribusiness may be exercised by government on the basis of law, which takes into account that the locality where operations would be made has peculiar characteristics imbued with public interest. For example, Republic Act No. 7611 or the "Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act" was enacted to protect Palawan, and created the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). PCSD's composition varies and corresponds to the issues and concerns it confronts. There are however mandated members, such as: • the Representatives from the two districts of Palawan in the House of Representatives (the lower house of the Philippine legislature) • Governor of Palawan • Deputy Director General of National Economic and Development Authority • Undersecretaries of Department of Environment and Natural Resources • Department of Agriculture • Mayor of Puerto Princesa City • President of League of Municipalities of Palawan • President of Liga ng mga Barangay • representatives from the Office of the President • Palawan Provincial Board • Non-Government Organizations • Military • business • tribal sectors and the • Philippine National Police-Provincial Command. 26 PCA Manual of Corporate Governance (Sept. 10, 2014) http://www.pca.da.gov.phlpdf/disclosure/corpgovernancemanual030315.pdf (accessed Oct. 14, 2016) 27 PCAManual of Operations http://www.pcadagov.ph/pdfldisclosure/manualofoperations2016.pdf (accessed Oct. 14, 2016) 28 Section 6, Republic Act No. 8048 or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995, amended by R.A. No. 10593 (2013) 29 PCAAnnual Report (published Oct. 28, 2015) hup://pca.da.gov.phlindex.php/2015-10-23-07-35-38/annual-reports (accessed Oct. 14, 2016) 30 Villanueva, J, Colchester, M., Chao, S, et al (July 2011) Oil Palm Expansion in South East Asia: Trends and Implications for Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples. Forest Peoples Programme, Perkumpulan Sawit Watch http://www. forestpeoples.org/sites/fpp/files/publication/2011/11/oil-palm-expansion-southeast-asia-2011-low-res.pdf (accessed Oct. 14, 2016) 11