SOME 475.6 hectares within the operation of Northern Cement Corporation (NCC) falls under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Tuba, Benguet based on the certification of the Department of Environmental and National Resources (DENR)–Cordillera.
DENR-Cordillera chief of surveys and mapping Division Engineer Benjamin Ventura referred to the approved political boundary survey CAD-656-D in 2008 defining the portion of the NCC operation is within the municipality.
The certification will be a big boost to the town and Benguet’s province claim of taxes and shares from the National Wealth and other fees required by law.
Tuba has been adamant in collecting fees from the cement firm and has NCC through national line agencies for shares from the utilization of national wealth extracted from the jurisdiction of town.
This was penned in a resolution which notes, the corporation has been extracting raw materials, including finished products but never gave equitable share due to the local government unit.
The council specified under the Republic Act 7160 Section 289, it clearly states LGUs must receive 40 percent share of the gross collection derived from taxes, royalties, and other fees.
Meanwhile, NCC vice - president and general manager Oliver Gorrospe said they do not doubt the certification from the DENR-Cordillera but reiterated their main operation is within the jurisdiction of Sison, Pangasinan.
“We will seek clarification again from Pangasinan. We will have a survey and submit both findings in the province for reference,” added Gorrospe.
