ONE-STOP-SHOP for
business permits

Acting Permits and Licensing Division head Marie Ann Biasca said yesterday they have issued 51 business permits since the One-Stop-Shop in Bacolod City opened Thursday because of the new system in processing them.

Biasca said they have simplified the processing from 24 to only five steps with the new system required by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

She said taxpayers will have no difficulty in processing their business permits because the processing system has been simplified.

The unified form now being used no longer requires notarization but taxpayers should make sure that it is the owner who signs the application form.

In the case of corporations, it should be the president or manager, or anyone authorized by the corporation, and representatives will be required to secure authorization letter from the owner, she said.

The deadline for the renewal of business permits is January 20 but the One-Stop-Shop will end February 28, Biasca said.

They encourage all business establishments to secure their business permits, especially for renewals as after January 20, penalties will be imposed as stipulated in the Local Government Code.

Taxpayers who pay their business taxes in full between January 2 to 20, will automatically get a 10 percent discount.

The One-Stop-Shop houses the Office of the Building Official, City Health Office, City Planning Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, except for the barangay, she said, so taxpayers must get their clearances from their barangays before processing their permits at the One-Stop-Shop.

They can also get application forms in advance, for payment of taxes in 2015, she added.*CGS