BAGUIO CITY – The City Permit and Licensing Office reported that a total of 2,575 business establishments received closure orders last year due to non-compliance with the rules and regulations under the Baguio City Tax Ordinance.
"Based on the tax ordinance, if you don't have a business permit you should not be doing business. Businesses that still do not comply will be forwarded to the City Legal Office for proper review and action such as a closure order," Allan Abayao, head of the City Permit and Licensing Office, said.
Abayao said they collected P385,386,949 from 26,532 business permits issued last year.
He said in the first quarter of this year, 18,917 regular and renewal permits were issued, 2,000 more compared to 16,850 in the same period in 2023.
Abayao said it only takes 20 minutes for permit applications to be processed at the Permit and Licensing Office and 10 minutes for renewal as long as the requirements are complete.
Efforts are being made to fast-track the permit renewal process to facilitate establishment compliance and boost business development, he said.
Business applicants were encouraged to use the Baguio in my Pocket (BIP) online assessment app and pay the fee at the Treasurer's Office.