Iloilo City sees 15% spike in biz permit renewals

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo City registered a notable 15 percent uptick in business permit renewals so far in 2024.

Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Office Head Velma Lao said in an interview on February 1 that from January 1 to 31 this year, the Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) issued 14,473 business renewal permits.

This is a significant increase of approximately 1,900 permits compared to the corresponding period in 2023, which recorded 12,593 renewals, apart from the 219 new businesses that secured permits.

The LEDIP Office head credited the success to initiatives like the off-site payment centers in SM City Iloilo, Festive Walk Mall at Megaworld, The Atrium, and Marymart Center.

The centers not only facilitated the renewal and issuance of new business permits but also provided a range of other government services, including community tax certificates, health cards, clearances from the Bureau of Fire Protection and Tourism, PWD and senior citizen cards, as well as important records such as birth and death certificates, and marriage licenses.

Lao emphasized the city’s commitment to creating a favorable business environment, making Iloilo City an attractive destination for entrepreneurs.

“Another reason is we continue to create a good business-enabling environment where businessmen foresee profitable growth. They have confidence that they can make it this 2024,” she said.

She expressed optimism about maintaining this economic vibrancy, urging support for local businesses and encouraging more visitors to experience Iloilo City.

Remarkably, the city witnessed a new trend with businesses securing permits as early as January, signaling economic growth.

In 2023, about 18,927 businesses in the city were granted business permits.

With the surge in renewed business permits in January 2024, the city has already surpassed its targets by an impressive 80 percent, indicating a promising trajectory for the year ahead.