THE Cebu City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) will process the renewal of business permits on the second floor of SM City Cebu in Barangay Mabolo starting on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020.

On that day, the CTO will issue priority numbers to its clients at 9 a.m. It will entertain business permit applications and renewals until 6 p.m.

Jerone Castillo of the CTO said that once the commercial establishments get new business permits, they will not have to renew it in 2021. This, as the two-year validity is already in effect after Mayor Edgardo Labella signed the ordinance extending the validity of business permits to two years.

The ordinance approved by the City Council was authored by Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

However, Castillo said the business tax, real property tax and other types of fees are paid annually or quarterly as usual.

In addition to the renewal and application for a business permit, the CTO personnel will accept real property tax payments in SM City Cebu’s third floor near Jollibee.

The CTO will provide a priority lane for senior citizens, people with disabilities and pregnant women.

The taxpayers need to fill out the Environment Sustainable Action Plan form, which could be downloaded from www.cebucity.gov.ph starting on Monday, Dec. 30, according to Razel Cuizon of the Cebu Public Information Office.

Authorized representatives of corporations must submit a special power of attorney when transacting for the renewal or application of business permits.

Castillo and Acting City Treasurer Monina Paires urged business owners to renew their business permits in January to avoid paying penalties and surcharges. (PAC, RSR)