The provincial government of Bohol (PGBh) has reported a significant increase in its gross quarry collection for the first 10 months of this year, reaching P33,500,949.30 as of October.
This was revealed by provincial treasurer Eustaquio Socorin during The Capitol Reports on Friday, a weekly forum that discusses various issues and concerns affecting the province.
According to Socorin, the quarry collection for the same period last year was only P20,192,758.00, which means that this year’s collection has increased by 66 percent.
Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay attributed the increase to several factors, including the effective implementation of the mining and quarry regulations in the province, which are based on Provincial Ordinance 2020-035 or the Revised Bohol Mining Ordinance.
Lagunay said that the provincial government has been strict in enforcing the law and monitoring the quarry operations and mining activities in the province, with the help of the Bohol Provincial Environmental Protection Task Force (BPEPTF).
He also cited the compliance of quarry operators and contractors, who have been paying their fees and taxes regularly and following the environmental standards and guidelines set by the provincial government.
He added that the regular dialogue between the provincial government and quarry and mining operators and contractors has also helped resolve any issues and concerns that may arise from time to time.
Meanwhile, retired Col. Eduardo Malig-in of the BPEPTF bared that 58 trucks and equipment were impounded for violations of the mining ordinance during this period. He said that these violators will face administrative and criminal charges, as well as fines and penalties.
The panel of speakers during the weekly forum also included Engr. Ana Luisa Galicinao, head of the Bohol Mineral Resources Regulatory Office, and Eduardo Labunog, president of the Bohol Small Scale Miners Association.