THE City Government of Bacolod closed two business establishments on November 13 for operating without business permits in the city.

Stela Rose Rayos, Permits and Licensing Division head, said on November 14, they closed the Active Life Chicago Physical Therapy in B.S Aquino Drive, Barangay Villamonte, and E.S Print Media Incorporation at 6th Street, Barangay 7 with the assistance of the City Legal Office (CLO)-Enforcement Team.

She said the two business establishments violated Article 67 of City Ordinance 565 or the Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City.

Active Life Chicago Physical Therapy failed to secure a business permit for a year, while the E.S Print Media Incorporation was found using a fake business permit, she said.

“In June and August, the Permits and Licensing Division inspection team issued first and second notices to the Active Life Chicago Physical Therapy but until now, they failed to act on it,” she added.

On September 24, the inspection team also found out that the E.S Print Media Incorporation was using a fake business permit.

Rayos pointed out that business establishment owners were already given enough time to comply their business permits but they failed to process it.

The Permits and Licensing Division submitted a report to the CLO with the recommendation to close the business operation of the two business establishments.

“They should process a business permit so they can re-open and continue their business operations in the city,” Rayos said.

She said the E.S Print Media Incorporation should also pay the penalties based on the assessment of the City Treasurer’s Office.

“We will continue our monitoring and this will serve as a warning to other business establishment owners who fail to secure a business permit,” she added.