ILOILO CITY – The Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) here reported a 15 percent increase in business permit renewals in January.

THE Iloilo City Hall at night. (Tara Yap)
The BPLD which is under the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Office said 14,473 business renewal permits were issued from January 1 to 31, 1,900 more than the same month last year with 12,593.
The BPLD added that 219 new businesses registered last month.
LEDIP chief Velma Lao said the increase is due to the accessibility of processing renewals at off-site centers, eliminating the need to go to the Iloilo City Hall.
These off-site payment centers are located at the SM City Iloilo, Festive Walk Mall at Megaworld, The Atrium, and Marymart Center.
“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,” said Lao.
Lao said the 219 new businesses registered last January signifies a good and vibrant economy.
“We should maintain the vibrancy of our economy. We support local businesses; we continue to bring in new people, tourists, relatives, OFWs, and friends to experience Iloilo City and patronize our businesses here,” Lao added.
A total of 18, 927 businesses in the city applied for permits last year.