Pasay BPLO orders closure of private public market for failure to secure permit
Photo courtesy of Pasay BPLO
The Pasay City Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) has ordered the permanent closure of a privately owned public market, Wowee Market, located along Taft Avenue, Barangay 97, last Friday, Dec. 19, due to its continued failure to comply with mandatory requirements for securing a business permit.
Lawyer Patrick Legapi, BPLO officer-in-charge, said the closure order was served on the privately owned public market following consistent violations by the owner, Yok Tin Tan So, to comply with essential regulatory requirements necessary to operate legally.
Legaspi noted that Wowee Market lacked several critical permits, including a Building Permit, Occupancy Permit, and Sanitary Permit, all of which are mandatory for business operations.
These findings were cited in the BPLO’s recommendation for closure after determining that the violations were recurring and unresolved.
He stated that the owner had been issued multiple Notices to Comply starting in Dec. 2024, with the most recent notice dated June 25, 2025.
Despite these warnings, the owner allegedly failed to submit the required documents and did not take corrective action to secure the appropriate business permit.
The BPLO OIC added that the owner also filed a court case requesting a temporary restraining order (TRO) seeking to compel the BPLO to issue a business permit for the market, but the request was denied, allowing the city government to proceed with enforcement actions.
Due to the continued non-compliance, the BPLO issued a closure and cease-and-desist order, immediately halting the market’s operations.
The Wowee Market will not be allowed to resume operations until all regulatory requirements are fully met and a valid business permit is granted.
Meanwhile, the Pasay City government issued a strong warning to all business owners and operators within the city, stressing that the local government is firm and serious in enforcing regulations related to business permits and compliance with city ordinances.