CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The local income of the Pampanga provincial government from Mt. Pinatubo’s sand and gravel increased to P82 million in March, exceeding the previous highest monthly collection of P72.8 million last February, an official said on Sunday.
The March 2021 collection raised to P1.118 billion the total revenues earned so far in the 20 months of the administration of Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, according to Atty. Charlie Chua, provincial administrator.
Capitol collects a P150-sand tax, P250-administrative fee, P30-weighing scale fee, fees for sand and gravel permit, motor vehicle and heavy equipment accreditation including fines and penalties.
Chua said the provincial government’s share of 30 percent from the P150-sand tax was put in the provincial coffers to support programs in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and in implementing regular programs in health, education, agriculture, livelihood, environment and infrastructure.
Barangays and towns or cities from where the sand was derived from get 40 and 30 percent of the sand tax, respectively, based on the distribution auhorized by the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160).
Government and private projects as well as the timing of construction works in dry months have prompted the higher demand for sand, according to Romeo “Buddy” Dungca, chief of the quarry unit Kalam. Haulers or quarry operators towed more than P6-million worth of sand daily in three days last March.
Governor Pineda said that aside from the high demand for sand, the compliance of quarry operators and haulers with regulations was a “big key” to the increase in local income.
“I could not thank them enough for their partnership and cooperation in really turning Mt. Pinatubo’s sand a top-earner for the province,” the governor said. “Their taxes and fees go to good use.”
Associations of quarry operators had also donated ambulances, food packs, medicines and medical items during the health crisis. (PR)