MISAMIS Oriental’s income from quarry operations continues to rise as the provincial government recorded a total of P12,714,025.72 from January to October 2019, a 158.92 percent increase compared to last year’s P8 million in the same period.
According to the Environment and Natural Resources Office (Enro), the income coming from the quarries reached P3.98 million in 2017 and increased by 323.79 percent to P12.87 million in 2018.
Provincial information officer Carlo Dugaduga said the increase in the income generated from quarry operations is due to the intensified efforts of the collectors and the high demand for aggregates which are needed for construction works.
“Pagkusog ang demand sa aggregates like sa sand and gravel, gipasabot nga healthy kaayo ang atong ekonomiya kay kusog ang construction, daghan ang construction works,” Dugaduga said.
Around 500 individuals have benefited from the quarry industry, ENRO said. This includes the utility, drivers, heavy equipment operators, and administrative staff, among others.
Dugaduga also clarified that all payments collected by the capitol are accounted for.
This, following the “black propaganda,” according to Dugaduga, which came from the opposition indicating corruption under the administration of Governor Yevgeny Emano.
“It goes to show nga accounted tanan ang mga payment gikan sa tanan nga mga extractions. Wala may payment gikan sa mga quarry nga moadto lugar sa bulsa sa bisan kinsa nga indibidwal. Kay tanan nga mga payment dunay mga corresponding nga receipts,” he said.
“So tanan nga mga payments are all accounted for. Walay mausik sa tanan nga mga payment,” Dugaduga added.
The Enro, meanwhile, said they are aiming to generate a total of P14-million income from quarrying for the whole year of 2019.