Dump trucks swarm the Pasig-Potrero River to haul sand. Photo by Bong Lacson
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Not even in this community quarantine period amid the coronavirus disease pandemic could stop Pampanga from generating revenues out of Mount Pinatubo’s “vomit” of sand and gravel.
This, despite the zero income during the suspension of quarry operations from March 20 to May 17 when the province was put under enhanced community quarantine, and later under modified ECQ.
From May 18 to Sept. 20, with the easing of quarantine protocols, a total of P289.6 million was added to the provincial coffers. This brought to P730 million the total quarry collections under the administration of Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda that started in July 2019, according to provincial administrator Atty. Charlie Chua.
The revenues consisted of quarry collections, weighing scale fees, fees on sand and gravel permit, accreditation of motor vehicles and heavy equipment, and fines and penalties.
September recorded the highest collection, totaling to P68.402 million, per the report of the Kapampangan a Lulugud at Matapat (KALAM), the provincial quarry regulatory unit headed by former Bacolor Mayor Buddy Dungca.
With the general community quarantine and subsequently moderate GCQ imposed in greater areas in Metro Manila as well as the rest of Luzon, the construction industry appeared to have rebounded, spiking the demand for sand and gravel.
“The quarry sector is contributing a big part to Capitol’s local income. Governor Delta has thanked quarry operators and haulers for their support by paying tax and fees, which are being used in our Covid-19 responses and regular programs and projects,” Atty. Chua said.
Per the Local Government Code of 1991, a part of the quarry revenue, in this case the P250-quarry tax per truck, is shared on a 40-30-30 percent allocation
among the barangay, town or city, and the Capitol. With Pampanga PIO
