Quarry Operations Grind to a Halt in Porac
Quarry operations in Porac town, Pampanga, have come to a complete standstill as a direct result of a dispute between the municipal government and the Association of Porac Sand and Gravel Quarry Operators Inc. This significant development unfolded on the evening of Friday, November 25, 2025, when approximately 40 quarry operators and 850 haulers collectively ceased their activities.
Root of the Conflict: A New Tax Scheme
The core of the disagreement centers on an alleged new ecological tax scheme implemented by the Porac local government. The dispute involves a shift from the ordinance-mandated rate of P100 per truck to a new charge of P100 per 12-cubic-meter load. According to the provincial government's quarry regulatory unit, Kapampangan a Lulugud at Matapat (Kalam), this change has substantially increased costs, especially for operators using larger 16- and 18-wheeler trucks.
Romeo Dungca Jr., Kalam's Over-All Head of Quarry Operations, revealed that the Capitol has not received any formal notice from the Porac local government regarding this new tax rate. Dungca emphasized that the currently recognized system remains the 40-30-30 sand tax sharing scheme. This system distributes revenue from the provincial collection—comprising a P250 administrative fee, a P150 sand tax, and a P30 weighing scale fee—among the barangay, municipality/city, and province.
Economic Fallout and Provincial Response
In response to the dispute, the Porac quarry association has initiated a temporary work stoppage, which they state may last up to two weeks, while they raise their concerns through the proper channels. The economic impact of this halt is projected to be severe. Romeo Dungca Jr. warned that delays in Porac's quarry operations may offset around ₱40 million in revenues for Pampanga.
The provincial government has already stepped in, formally requesting an explanation from the Porac municipal government regarding the issue and the implementation of the new tax. This dispute emerges against the backdrop of a highly lucrative industry; from 2019 to 2025, Pampanga's quarry operations generated approximately ₱5 billion in revenues for the province, highlighting the critical importance of resolving this conflict promptly.
