CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Provincial Government of Pampanga announced that it will mediate in the ongoing dispute between the Municipal Government of Porac and Association of Porac Sand and Gravel Quarry Operators Inc. following the suspension of operations involving 40 quarry operators and 850 haulers.
The suspension stemmed from Porac LGU’s sudden increase in ecological tax rates and the reported withholding of clearances for haulers and operators.
According to Engr. Romeo Dungca Jr. Over-all Head of Quarry Operations of the Provincial Government, the Porac LGU has not yet issued any formal communication to the Capitol regarding the change in the municipality’s ecological tax rates.
Under the current revenue-sharing scheme, sand tax collections are distributed at 40 percent for barangays, 30 percent for cities or municipalities, and 30 percent for the province. The Capitol imposes a P250 administrative fee, P150 sand tax, and P30 weighing scale fee.
Based on the ordinance submitted by the Municipality of Porac, the ecological tax previously set at P100 per truck was recently increased to P100 per 12-cubic-meter truckload, a change that caught several quarry operators and haulers by surprise. The abrupt adjustment triggered widespread complaints from stakeholders.
During a coordination meeting with the Kapampangan a Lulugud at Matapat (KALAM), the group expressed its intention to file an administrative case against the Porac LGU, citing alleged “double taxation.”
In protest, the Porac Quarry Association began a work stoppage last Friday, which is expected to continue for two weeks.
“Kusa silang huminto dahil sa kadahilanang hindi nila makuha certification nila mula sa Mayor at yung taxation nila sa ecological, yun yung grievances nila,” he said.
Engr. Dungca appealed to the group to allow the matter to be discussed before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, emphasizing that the ongoing suspension could significantly impact provincial revenues.
The two-week stoppage is projected to result in a loss of approximately P40 million in collections, funds that would have supported key health programs and services under Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda.
“Nakiusap lang tayo kung pwedeng pag-usapan. Hindi natin pwedeng ihinto ng matagal yan. Yan utos ni nanay dahil diyan kumukuha ang Kapitolyo sa pantulong niya sa mga Kapampanhan,” he said.
The Provincial Government is currently awaiting an official statement from the Municipality of Porac regarding the issue.
KALAM also emphasized that the sand sourced from Porac is considered one of the finest volcanic sand deposits in Southeast Asia, underscoring its high demand within the construction sector.
According to data from the Office of the Provincial Treasurer, Pampanga’s quarry revenues have reached more than P5 billion from 2019 to 2025.
