The province of South Cotabato started the year with a P768,265.00 sand and gravel and mining tax collection, in a report submitted recently by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).
This year PEMO still targets to collect an average of P1 million a month sand and gravel and mining tax despite its strict enforcement activities particularly on small-scale mining (SSM) operation in the municipality of T’boli.
In 2014, PEMO collected about P11 million SG & M tax.
Last February 6, Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes together with Vice-Governor Cecile Diel and Provincial Board Members inaugurated its Minahang Bayan Center located at the Municipal Gymnasium of T’boli.
The Center is envisioned to become a one-stop shop which will cater to the specific needs of SSM operators.
But Governor Fuentes disclosed that the long-term plan is to establish it as a training center for jewelry-making where goldsmiths will train local artisans about the craft to further enhance the gold and silver industry of the province.
The provincial share on the January 2015 SG & M collection amounted to P282,874.50.
