To better regulate sand and gravel operations in Cebu Province, Gov. Gwen Garcia has announced some proposed changes in the Provincial Revenue Code aimed at imposing stricter penalties on errant sand and gravel operators in Cebu.
The move comes amidst concerns over violations of the Capitol’s policies governing sand and gravel operations, trading, and hauling in the province. The amendments will be forwarded to the Provincial Board for proper action.
Gov. Garcia emphasized the need for stringent regulations to prevent violations and ensure compliance with the province’s policies, which now include regulatory fees for businesses engaged in this thriving industry.
Under the proposed changes, penalties for violators could soar to as high as P1 million for fifth-time offenders, marking a significant increase from previous penalty grades.
This move is designed to deter violations and enforce adherence to regulations, particularly addressing issues such as underreporting of production, which has been a persistent challenge, 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 learned during the Governor’s meeting with the concerned stakeholders on March 7 at the Capitol.
Addressing the hundreds of stakeholders present on Thursday, March 7, Gov. Garcia highlighted the alarming trend of violations within the industry, suggesting that such practices have become customary among sand and gravel players. She noted that previous penalties had been insufficient to deter illegal activities, particularly considering the significant profits earned through non-compliance.
The proposed changes underscore the Provincial Government’s commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in the sand and gravel sector.
Moreover, the revenue contribution of sand and gravel enterprises in Cebu has been steadily increasing since 2019, highlighting the sector’s significance in revenue generation for the province.
For instance, Capitol collected a total of P628 million from this sector in 2023 alone, up from P396 million in 2022, according to Rodel Bontuyan, Capitol’s provincial environment head. In 2021, Capitol’s revenue collection from this sector stood at P303 million, up from P128 million in 2020 and P97 million in 2019.
In an interview after the meeting, Jeffrey Borja, a processor in Toledo City, welcomed the Capitol’s move, saying that he was delighted to know the many projects the Provincial Government has implemented with the sector’s help as a revenue source.
He said with such stricter policies, stakeholders will now be more careful in terms of adhering to legal operations.
Gieuly Abatayo, a trader, also echoed this, saying that he, for one, will comply with whatever the Provincial Government requires from them. | Carlo Lorenciana