More than 40 quarry operators and 850 haulers in Porac, Pampanga have stopped operations, citing sudden changes in ecological tax rules and difficulties in securing municipal clearances.
In an official statement, the Association of Porac Sand and Gravel Quarry Operators Inc. said they suspended operations after the municipality allegedly raised the ecological tax without notice and delayed issuance of necessary permits, preventing them from transporting sand and gravel.
The operations stopped since evening on Friday, November 21, 2025.
According to provincial data, the existing ordinance set the ecological tax at ₱100 per truck. Under the new scheme, the fee is ₱100 per 12-cubic-meter load, resulting in higher charges for larger trucks, such as 16- and 18-wheelers. Operators said the changes disrupted their operations.
During an emergency coordination meeting, the group announced plans to file administrative cases against the Porac local government.
“Kusa silang huminto dahil sa kadahilanang hindi nila makuha certification nila mula sa Mayor at ‘yung taxation nila sa ecological, ‘yun ‘yung grievances nila. Nakiusap lang tayo kung pwedeng pag-usapan. Hindi natin pwedeng ihinto ng matagal yan. ‘Yan utos ni nanay dahil diyan kumukuha ang Kapitolyo sa pantulong niya sa mga Kapampangan,” Engr. Romeo Dungca Jr., head of quarry operations at KALAM, said.
The provincial government warned the two-week halt could delay revenue collection by over ₱40 million, funds originally earmarked for health programs and social services.
Meanwhile, Porac Mayor Jing Capil said the local government has not received any official complaint from quarry operators.
“We did not receive any letter of complaint from the quarry operators. Kaya ang alam namin, maayos ang takbo ng quarry operations,” he said in a statement.
The Sangguniang Bayan is currently hearing proposed revisions to regulatory fees.
“Kasalukuyang nag-hearing ang Sangguniang Bayan sa revisions sa regulatory fees. Masasabi kong sa mga susunod pang buwan ay walang magaganap na pagtataas dahil ‘in hearing’ pa ang aming mga ordinansa—kaya wala kaming basehan para magtaas. Para hindi maabala ang mga negosyo, lalo na ang quarry, habang dinidinig ito, status quo muna,” Capil added.
Experts noted that Porac hosts some of the finest sand deposits in Southeast Asia, making the halt critical for Luzon’s sand supply. The Office of the Provincial Treasurer reported that quarry revenues have exceeded ₱5 billion from 2019 to 2025.
