THE Bohol provincial government under the administration of Gov. Aris Aumentado made a try again to collect extraction taxes from the limestone mining in Garcia-Hernandez town.
The move, like attempts in previous administration but failed, was seen as a challenge of the provincial government to eventually collect such taxes that, for a long time, the mining company has been paying to the national government and not to the local government.
Floor leader Atty. Tomas Abapo, Jr., of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), in a privilege speech, brought to the attention of his colleagues the perennial dilemma in limestone extraction tax collection.
He quoted the governor’s letter dated February 23, 2023 addressed to Bohol Limestone Corporation (BLC) resident manager Engr. Winston Bolo, but was not immediately received by the company, in a bid to collect such tax.
The letter pointed out that Bohol has “not derived any direct substantial benefit from your operations,” depriving the local government units concerned from collecting proper amount of tax.
The letter the company has been and still is selling limestone to local buyers for years without the benefit of the governor’s permit pursuant to existing law.
The governor’s office hopes that unless valid explanation be presented by the company, the provincial government will not hesitate to block any move for renewal of permit issued to the company by the national government.
In an interview, Bolo said that the company had not received yet an official letter from the governor as of the three days ago when he called this paper.
He said that the company would soon issue an statement for the media and explanation to Capitol as regards with the alleged non-payment of limestone tax to the LGU.
Capitol allowed to collect?
The Bohol Provincial Board earlier approved on third and final reading an ordinance imposing extraction fee on large-scale mining of limestone in Garcia-Hernandez town.
The Philippine Mining Service Corporation (PMSC) is operating as in-charge of the raw limestone ore processing and the Bohol Limestone Corporation (BLC) for the extraction of the said high-grade mineral.
The late Provincial Board Member Elpidio Jala, author of the ordinance amending the local law on sand and gravel extraction, said that imposition and collection of fees from limestone mining in this limestone-rich town are now mandated in the new ordinance.
The amendment under section 35 (a) of the law provides: “All permits holders, except those for gratuitous permits, shall pay in advance to the Provincial Treasurer and extraction fee of not more than ten percent of the fair market value per cubic meter of sand, gravel, quarry resources and other minerals in the locality at the time of removal of extracted from the public lands, mining areas or from the beds of seas, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks and other public water within its jurisdiction pursuant to section 38 of Local Government Code of 1991 also known as Republic Act No. 7160.
Citing RA 7160, Jala said all concerned LGUs can now benefit from the amended ordinance, adding that the barangay where the mining, quarrying or extraction is located has a share of 40 percent from the total fees collected while the municipality/city where the mining is situated and the provincial government shall have 30 percent share each, respectively.
Also amended are the regulatory fees — such as extraction of quarry resources as well as on truck operators of delivery trucks or vans — was increased to P2,000 from P1,000.
The filing fees are also increased to P5,000 per year for industrial permit; P4,000 (commercial permit); P3,000 (gratuitous and special permit); and P2,000 (deed of assignment, special power of attorney and registration documents).
The new rate of concession fees are as follow: P10,000 for commercial and foreshore permit; and P20,000 (industrial permit). The docket fee for filing of protest is now P2,000; and verifications fees are now pegged at P5,000 (for commercial and special permits); P5,000 (industrial); and P3,000 (gratuitous).
Annual tax for every delivery truck/van is now priced at P1,000 for 8- and above- wheeler; P800 (six-wheeler); and P600 (four-wheeler).
The amended ordinance also provides for its effective implementation, and that the governor may direct the municipal mayors to help monitor quarry and mining operations in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Jala added that limestone mining officials were already informed of the new rates, under the amended law, and they promised to present documents explaining why they have not been paying the required fees to the provincial government ever since. (rvo)
