Quarry revenues now at P701 million

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Officials in Pampanga have expressed optimism that the P770 million quarry revenues target will be achieved under the administration of Governor Lilia Pineda and quarry watchman Vice Governor Joseller Guiao.

The run-rate of quarry collections now stand at P700,900,000, following February 2013 revenues of P24,902,500 at month-end.

Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Art Punsalan told Sun.Star Pampanga that the Kapampangan A Lulugud At Matapat or Kalam may surpass the projected P770 million target as the term of the Pineda-Guiao tandem culminates in June this year.

“We are very optimistic we will achieve the P770-million target or even go beyond it, based on current rising trends and increased demand from projects initiated by the national government. We are on track with four months to go and hopefully, we will achieve another milestone when the term of Governor Pineda and Vice Governor Yeng Guiao end June this year,” he said.

Consistency of quarry collections and the parallel efficiency in operations, he said, brought the quarry industry on its all-time high and is seen to peak with impending computerization and institutionalization as initiated by Guiao.

Guiao, who is seeking the first district congressional post, noted that “by computerizing quarry operations, we would be able to institutionalize quarry operations and maximize its potential, so much so that the real trend and figures we achieved will not be altered whoever takes over this flagship program.”

He said the legacy legislation on quarry computerization will translate to an increase in quarry revenues and more social and economic benefits for Kapampangans.

“Having set such a benchmark that is a milestone in the history of the quarry in the province, and after achieving the most ideal revenues, it’s high time that it should be computerized. Not only can we establish the right parameters, but we would be able to greatly eliminate human errors, both incidental and intentional. Best of all, quarry revenues may double which means more benefits for stakeholders and our kabalens,” he said.