The provincial government here will use income sourced from quarrying in its fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Governor Dennis Pineda said on Thursday the income from taxes and fees in quarrying will be put into the provincial government’s general fund to help contain the dreaded disease.

“Capitol is earning income from our quarry collections. That income, which is put into our general fund, increases our funds for services, including our efforts to control the spread of coronavirus and give support to families who have lost their sources of income during this crisis,” Pineda said in a statement.

Quarry collections averaged PHP50 million per month, pegged at PHP404.14 million from July 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020; PHP57.120 million in February and PHP32.220 million up to March 16.

Estimated losses from the freeze in quarry hauling, amounted to PHP100 million since the quarantine against Covid-19 started on March 16.

However, the provincial government has collected PHP32.060 million in taxes and fees since the quarrying of Mt. Pinatubo’s sand and stones was allowed to resume and the construction sector restarted from May 18 to 29.

“Next year, we expect to get minimal shares from national taxes due to the impact of Covid-19 on businesses and economy. Capitol’s quarry income will help us through,” Pineda said. (PNA)

Photo Source: pna.gov.ph