Renewal of biz permit ends; closures, penalties to follow

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Processing and payment for the renewal of business permits in Iloilo City officially ended on January 20, 2020.

The Business Process and Licensing Office (BPLO) said there will be no extension of the renewal period and those who failed to pay on time will be meted penalties.

“Wala na sang extension so dapat masulod na ang tanan nga application and payments today,” BPLO head Norman Tabud stressed on Monday.

BPLO extended its office hours in the evening to accommodate clients queuing at the premises.

“Ang ginalagas man actually ang payment, dapat makabayad sila. Ang printing sang permits or licenses ma-follow lang na after,” he said.

He said business establishments that failed to secure permits before the deadline will be closed in compliance with the “standing order” of Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Treñas has recently issued a memorandum ordering the inspection of business establishments starting Jan. 21, the day after the closing of the business permit renewal period.

The inspections will be undertaken by a team composed of the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), City Tourism and Development Office, and the City Treasurer’s Office.

The mayor said he himself will join the inspections.

Tabud said business establishments with no permits will be closed until they comply. They will also pay a 25 percent surcharge on their tax due, including the two percent penalty every month.

“Ang wala maka-renew, pasiraduhan ta asta maka-comply sila sa aton requirements. Kon dako man ang tax, dako man ila surcharge,” he said.

As of Monday morning, Tabud said they issued 9,000 business permits while 11,000 establishments paid their tax dues but have yet to secure the permits.

More than 14,000 establishments asked for the computation of their payments and will have to pay for the tax dues thereafter, he added.