Goking cmte starts talks on quarry fees, policies

COUNCILOR George S. Goking, chair of the City Council committee on ways and means and Councilor Enrico Salcedo sat down with City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office head Edwin Dael, Eng. Daniel Belderol, chief of the Mine Management Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and representatives of the City Treasurer’s Office to discuss the processing of permits for mountain quarry operations.

Councilor Goking scheduled the meeting following the special report of Councilor Salcedo who aired the complaint of some concessionaires for alleged delays in the processing of mountain quarry permits.

He also noted that the income derived by the city from quarry operations has decreased in the past months.

According to Engr. Belderol, applications of concessionaires are immediately acted upon. He said delays only happen when there are violations and when permittees do not comply and submit needed documents.

Concessionaires should file for renewal of their permits 60 days before its expiration. If they apply after the expiration, their applications will be considered as new. This is the new policy, he added.

FEES

Councilor Goking said based on the report of the City Treasurer’s Office, the city’s collection as of October is only P9.7 million. He said this is much less than what is being collected in other cities and provinces.

He requested the MGB to provide the committee with a comparative chart and data on the volume of quarry materials extracted in different areas.

Councilor Goking said the committee will schedule another meeting with representatives of concerned departments and quarry operators to find solutions to the issues raised by Councilor Salcedo.