The Provincial Government is set to mediate and help resolve the misunderstanding between the local government of Porac and quarry haulers after around 40 quarry operators and 850 haulers halted operations on Friday night.

According to the Provincial Government, the dispute stemmed from Porac Mayor Jing Capil’s implementation of a new ecological tax scheme. Data gathered by the Capitol showed that the ecological tax is now set at P100 per 12-cubic-meter load per truck.

The ecological tax is part of a new ordinance issued by the Porac local government that increases the cost charged to quarry haulers, particularly for large 16-wheel and 18-wheel trucks. However, KALAM Quarry Operations overall head Engr. Romeo Dungca Jr. said the ordinance has not yet been formally relayed to the Capitol.

For now, the existing 40-30-30 sand-tax sharing scheme remains in effect — allocating shares to the barangay, town/city, and province — based on the Provincial Government’s standard fees: P250 administrative fee, P150 sand tax, and P30 weighing scale fee.

Members of the Porac Quarry Association said they intend to raise their complaints through proper channels, but the work stoppage continues and may last up to two weeks.

Dungca encouraged the group to elevate their concerns to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to properly lay out their arguments and arrive at a solution beneficial to all parties.

More than P40 million in collections could be lost due to the work stoppage. The Provincial Government emphasized that quarry taxes fund health programs and services under Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda.

The Capitol said it is ready and awaiting the Porac LGU’s official explanation to resume formal discussions and resolve the issue.

KALAM noted that sand from Porac remains among the best in Southeast Asia. Data from the Office of the Provincial Treasurer shows that quarry revenues in the province have exceeded ₱5 billion from 2019 to 2025.