CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Revenues from quarry operations in this province may reach P500 million this year.

As of September 16, the Provincial Treasurer’s Office reported that the provincial government has collected a total of P457 million in quarry revenues since June 2007, needing only to collect P43 million more to be able to reach the half billion level.

Last year’s collections reached P44.14 million for the period October to December while the 2007 collection for the same period reached over R54 million.

Based on the data from PTO, September collections this year may reach up to P17 million.

Governor Ed Panlilio said his administration remains optimistic that the collections will continue to add to the provincial coffers.

“This successful collection in taxes from sand and gravel was made possible through the dedication and commitment of all concerned stakeholders – the Biyaya a Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas) committee, provincial treasurer’s office, provincial environment and natural resources offices (PENRO), and the provincial mining regulatory board,” Panlilio said.

As this developed, the Pampanga Information Office said that more than P6 million in quarry fee shares for the month of August are ready for distribution to concerned barangays and municipalities in Pampanga which host quarry operations.

PIO said that among the municipalities, Porac has the highest quarry share with P1,696,500, followed by Floridablanca with P292,500 and Mabalacat with P234,000.

The provincial government has distributed a total of P156 million to barangays and municipalities that host quarry operations.