Porac Quarry Operations Set to Resume After Brief Suspension
The Porac Sand and Gravel Quarry Association, Inc. has officially announced that quarry operations in the municipality will resume on December 5, 2025, ending a temporary shutdown that affected workers and local stakeholders. The association made this declaration through an official statement dated November 29, 2025, marking a significant development in the ongoing discussion about quarry operations in the area.
Association's Independent Decision
In their statement, the quarry operators emphasized that their choice to resume operations was an independent decision made solely by the association members. They explicitly stated that "there was no directive or signal from any official" influencing their move. The association explained they made this determination in direct response to the needs of workers and stakeholders who were adversely affected by the temporary cessation of quarry activities.
The group also issued a public apology, saying they were sorry "to everyone affected by our temporary suspension of operations, especially the workers and families who rely on our livelihood." This acknowledgment highlights the significant economic impact the suspension had on local communities dependent on quarry operations for their income.
Root of the Conflict: Ecological Tax Changes
The temporary shutdown originated from a dispute between the municipal government and the Association of Porac Sand and Gravel Quarry Operators Inc. regarding changes to the ecological tax structure. The controversy centered on the local government's implementation of what quarry operators described as a new ecological tax scheme that shifted from the previous P100-per-truck rate specified in the ordinance to a new rate of P100 per 12-cubic-meter load.
During the suspension period, the association utilized the time to seek legal consultations, prepare documentation, and gather evidence to support their position regarding the tax collection policies. The group rejected what they termed a "status quo" proposal and expressed their intention to address tax collection policies through the appropriate legal process rather than through informal channels.
Official Response and Moving Forward
Porac Mayor Jaime "Jing" Capil responded to the situation by denying allegations of double taxation in the fees imposed by the municipal government on quarry operations. Mayor Capil clarified that the municipal government had not issued any order to stop quarry operations and maintained that quarry activities in the town are proceeding in an orderly manner.
The association highlighted that no proper dialogue occurred between quarry operators and the local chief executive before they decided to resume operations. They emphasized that such issues are better resolved in formal forums rather than on social media, indicating their preference for structured, official discussions over public debates on digital platforms.
As operations prepare to restart on December 5, all eyes will be on how both parties navigate the ongoing discussions about ecological taxes and quarry regulations in Porac, with the association committed to pursuing legal avenues to address their concerns about tax collection policies.
