THE administration of Gov. Aris Aumentado thru the Bohol Mineral Resources Office (BMNRO) has collected some Php5,173,000 of extraction tax from quarry/sand and gravel operations in just three months, aside from penalties of Php125,000 in September 2022 alone.
The said income, according to BMINRO, is broken down as follows: July 2022 — P1,791,000; August —- P900,000; and September, 2,482,000.
In a concerted effort to enforce the mandate espoused by Governor Aris Aumentado on environmental protection and the enforcement of Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-035, the Bohol Mineral Resources Office conducted operations that resulted to several apprehensions.
This is a glaring signal to violators on the seriousness of the provincial government to safeguard not only our environment and enforce the law.
The head of Bohol Environmental Protection Task Force (BEPTF) Colonel Eduardo D. Malig-on said that in a span of forty-five (45) days, their efforts in monitoring have garnered the apprehension of sixteen (16) dump trucks, five (5) backhoe’s and one (1) bulldozer. He further stated that most of their apprehensions were due to the failure to present a valid delivery receipt (DR) and that these dump trucks were carrying either limestone, diorite or sand and gravel.
He highlighted that ever since the task force started conducting operations, they averaged two (2) to three (3) apprehensions a day.
Malig-on explained that those apprehended along with their vehicles and cargoes have been brought to the nearest police station for recording and safe keeping of the vehicle and its cargoes. After which a report from the task force shall be forwarded to the BMinRO for appropriate action.
BMinRO chief Engr. Ana Luisa E. Galicinao said that based on the task force incident report, it is then forwarded to the Provincial Legal Office (PLO), these violators are appropriately sanctioned based on the provisions of Ordinance No. 202-035.
She expounded that for those with permits, on the first violation a suspension of 30 days and a fine of five thousand pesos (Php5,000) shall be applied; for the second violation, the penalty shall be a suspension of 45 days and a fine of Php 5,000; for the third violation, a penalty of Php 5,000 and the revocation of the permit with perpetual disqualification from applying for a new permit under this ordinance.
Based on the incident report submitted by the task force, BMinRO forwards it to the Provincial Legal Office (PLO), where a possible voluntary compromise agreement to pay the penalties can be reached, after which the BMinRO will issue an Order of Payment. Thereafter, the PLO will issue a release order to the PNP upon payment of the incurred penalties.
She assured that her office through the provincial environment task force will continue to exert all efforts to deter and stop these illegal operations. (rvo/MAEP)
