South Cotabato’s sand and gravel and mining ( SG & M) tax collection from January to March this year reached P3,177,859.13, the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) reported.
The report indicated an average of at least P 1 million a month in revenue which is the target of PEMO this year in its SG & M tax collection.
Last year 2014, PEMO collected almost P11 million in SG & M Tax which is way below the projected target collection.
The provincial SG & M tax collection share for the first quarter of the year now totaled P1,306,520.13.
PEMO is now on its way to amend Provincial Ordinances 7 and 8 enacted by the Sangguniand Panlalwigan in 2002 relative to small-scale mining (SSM), as agreed during the recent Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) meeting.
PMRB endorsed PEMO’s proposal to revised the outdated ordinances particularly on the imposition of taxes, fees, surcharges, fines or penalties to SSM operators, processors and miners.
Also last February 6, PEMO established its PDDRMO-financed Minahang Bayan Center located at the Municipal Gymnasium of T’boli.
At present, personnel of PEMO and PTO are assigned to man the center to cater to the specific needs of SSM operators, particularly the payment of SSM fees to further boost its revenues.
