Pampanga officials report P13.1-M quarrying tax take since January

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The provincial government reported a significant increase in its collection of lahar sand quarrying taxes since January, prompting it to be bullish on reaching its P30-million target by yearend.

As of May 15, provincial treasurer Vergel Yabut said the provincial government had collected P13.1 million compared to P2.8 million during the same period last year.

Yabut attributed the increase to "a more efficient and improved system" of collection of taxes from sand and gravel and other quarry resources that they have implemented.

He also cited the efficient and strict monitoring system which the provincial quarry task force, chaired by Gov. Mark Lapid with provincial administrator Fidel Arcenas as vice chairman, has carried out.

Yabut said the collection of quarry taxes has run smoothly since the task force was reorganized last February.

He said his office also conducted its own investigation into the alleged use of fake quarry receipts.

"As soon as the governor called our attention to the reports on the use of fake quarry receipts, I ordered all municipal treasurers to conduct a probe and submit their reports to my office, which they did," he said.

Yabut said the municipal treasurers of Mabalacat, Floridablanca, Porac, Magalang and Bacolor all attested that government employees, under the supervision of the provincial treasurer’s office, issued only official receipts and were not involved in any irregularities.

Lapid said the provincial government is doing everything it can to improve the quarry business and increase tax collection.

He appealed to his critics to give his administration a chance to further improve the collection of quarry taxes.

"We are also planning to computerize the system of collection and monitoring of real property taxes. This will also help the province increase its revenues in due time," he said.