Quarry collections consistent, says Environment office exec

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- “Our quarry collections remain steady and consistent, whether it’s the rainy season, political season or just normal days. Hopefully, it will stay that way.”

So noted Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (Enro) chief Engineer Art Punsalan over the weekend, as revenues for September were posted at P23,415,000.

This brings to a total of P221,807,500 in collections from January to last month this year.

“Our forecast is to hit the P400-million challenge poised to us by Governor Lilia Pineda. We are optimistic we can at least get near to that based on current trends. We remain consistent and we are unaffected by politics, seasonality and other external factors as everything has been put in place according to the time and motion study conducted by Vice Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao,” stressed Punsalan.

Punsalan said that a comparative study was made by Enro and the Kapampangan a Lulugud at Matapat (Kalam) on revenues.

“In 2001 during the NRDC days, total collections were at P382,580,900. During the time of Governor Lito Lapid, it was at P34,573,000. Then during Governor Mark Lapid’s time, it was at P86,610,000 annually. It peaked at P588,155,000 at the time of Governor Ed Panlilio’s term. But in the administration of Governor Pineda -- from July 2010 to September 30, 2012 -- we are already running at P579,572 ,500. It is a breakthrough and we are sure to get there,” added Punsalan.

He said more is expected as the last quarter in quarry operations closes in December, two months away.

“With every aspect operating efficiently and consistently, we are hopeful we will meet our projections,” Punsalan said.