THE Cebu Provincial Government collected a total of P15.7 million in penalties from erring haulers of filling materials, which is up by P9.1 million compared to last year’s P6.6-million income.
For tax collection from quarry operations, the Province’s income, however, decreased from P16.3 million in 2015 to P14.05 million this year. The Provincial Treasurer’s Office said that the data covered January to October 2016.
The decrease in tax collection was attributed to the two months non-issuance of permits and delivery receipts during the transition period from Chad Estella to Baltazar Tribunalo, who now heads the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro).
The Province lost about P2 million in potential tax collections.
Target
The Penro chief, however, said that Penro’s target is to decrease penalty collection and increase tax collection.
“Ang nindot mogamay ang penalty karon nga income, wa man ta mag after sa penalty,” said Tribunalo.
After Penro organized the North Quarry Operators, which already selected their set of officers, and after the strict enforcement of the law, Tribunalo said that the income from penalties is decreasing.
The Penro chief said that what’s ideal is a decrease in penalty and an increase in the collection of taxes and permits.
He said there will be more small-scale quarry operators who will be registering to acquire permits, and many will secure delivery receipts and have themselves accredited.
Tribunalo also said that more haulers will buy stickers as proof of their Capitol accreditation. Those who fail to get an accreditation and sticker will be arrested.
When Tribunalo replaced Estella as Penro chief early this year, no quarry permits were issued until the evaluation on all quarry sites was done, said Local Treasury operations officer Edna Toring Obeñita.