Tuesday, December 18, 2007 700 scholars might drop out due to quarry shut down
BACOLOR -- About 700 scholars of the Municipal Government here might end up dropping out from school should quarrying in this once lahar-ravaged town be discontinued.
This was the concern raised on Monday by Mayor Romeo Dungca Jr. of this town as the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) is reportedly dilly-dallying in the release of new commercial quarry permits.
Dungca said the Bacolor scholars, who come from indigent families in his town, are being supported by the Municipal Government through a special fund derived from quarry revenues.
The Municipal Government, under the Local Government Code, receives 30 percent of the quarry taxes from sand hauled within its territories.
And since the town is veering from a meager internal revenue allotment, Dungca said quarrying remains the only source of fund that could support programs like scholarships and other social services.
"The governor should make good his promise of opening the Capitol to the poor. How can he say that when his moves are threatening the continued delivery of basic services by the Municipal Government, who could work more efficiently with the aide of its natural resources," Dungca said.
Recently, quarry operations at the Gugu creek, one of the biggest quarry sites in this town, was shut down by the Provincial Government pending the approval of quarry permits.
But the Provincial Government said only new commercial permits have not been issued as they are being evaluated according to the Mining Act, which entails technical assessment and posting.
Dungca said the delay in the issuance of permits for Gugu and other quarry sites, especially along major river channels, is also threatening the safety of the public.
Large volume of sediment pile down riverbeds, endangering the embankments and the residents surrounding the rivers, he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Eddie Panlilio claimed that quarry revenue is not the only source of income of Bacolor town to support the constituency here specifically the scholars.
Panlilio said his office is now addressing the town's plague as he requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to rush the backhoe to desalt the Gugu creek.
He also said the sand that would be hauled in the Gugu creek will be trade at a lower price for the constituency here.
Panlilio said the quarry permits of Bacolor were not yet okay as far as the PMRB is concern. (ABL/MHD)
