CEBU CITY – The Bohol Mineral Resources Regulatory Office (BMinRRO) posted a record-high mining income in 2023.
Ana Luisa Galicinao, BMinRRO head, attributed the record-high revenue to “transparent and above-board procedures for sand and gravel and quarry operations.”
In her report, Galicinao said the province’s overall mineral income for 2023 reached P40,138,748.40, 190 percent higher compared to 2020 when it was only P13,811.347.50.
Last year’s total collection was more than double the P16,793,000 earnings.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado said the increase in mining revenue meant an increase in shares for local government units (LGUs).
The governor personally handed over the shares of the LGUs from sand and gravel operations.
On January 3, Aumentado turned over P1,440,000 to Baclayon, P840,000 to Barangay Cambanac, P240,000 to San Juan Buenaventura, and P1,220,332.80 to Barangay San Roque.
Tubigon, Maribojoc, and Balilihan received their shares from sand and gravel collection from Aumentado that day.
Aumentado said that the increased income and consequent increase in LGU shares were the result of an effective campaign against corruption.
The provincial government earns 30 percent share of the total income from sand and gravel and quarry operations while 40 percent goes to the barangay where the quarry is located and the remaining 30 percent to the municipality.
BMinRO said that there are 58 active permits, 46 for quarry and 12 for sand and gravel.
The Bohol Environmental Protection Task Force recorded a total of 85 apprehensions in 156 areas monitored three times a week.
Three mined-out areas undergoing rehabilitation in Trinidad, Talibon, and Alicia.