Protecting the province’s quarry sources is a no joke for Cotabato’s highest ranking official as she is willing to give reward of up to P50,000.00 per illegal quarry operator reported.

In a consultation-dialogue with barangay officials, quarry operators, officials from National Irrigation Administration, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other line agencies recently, Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza manifested that she is ‘dead serious’ in the campaign against the illegal extraction of quarry materials in the province.

She said, the P50,000.00 cash incentive per illegal operator will be given to the first barangay who can report any firm or individual utilizing quarry materials from privately-owned lands and/or public lands within the territorial jurisdiction of Cotabato without permit, or operating with expired permit, or quarrying and mining outside the specified permit area.

Within this month, the governor will conduct a random check on various quarry sites in the province to personally monitor if there is any unlawful utilization of Cotabato’s mineral resources.

She also warned operators that the provincial government will not hesitate to enforce sanctions or legal action against anyone violating Provincial Ordinance 410 adopting the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato.

Quarry operators were briefed on the provisions of the said ordinance pertaining to “Tax on of Sand, Gravel, and Other Quarry Resources” and “Quarry Operations” of the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato during the said forum.

Tax on sand, gravel, and other quarry resources

As she urged the barangay leaders to help protect the province from illegal quarry operations, Governor Taliño-Mendoza also explained how the barangay will benefit when required quarry taxes and fees are properly collected.

“When all fees due to the barangay are collected, this would mean more projects for your barangay…more services to your constituents,” she noted.

The governor added that based on the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato, proceeds of the tax on sand, gravel and other quarry resources shall be 30% share for the provincial government, 30% shall go to the LGU where the materials are extracted, and 40% to the barangay of the concession area.

She then appealed to the barangay officials to help in monitoring quarry activities in the latter’s respective area of responsibility and to ensure that the quantity of extracted quarry or sand and gravel resources is declared accurately by the permit holder.

To further guarantee that rightful fees go to the coffers of the government, Governor Taliño-Mendoza also dared to reward another P50,000.00/collector to barangays who can give verified information of tax collector/s who anomalously conspire with quarry operators or truckers, if there is any. //lqg.idcd-pgo//