THE Iloilo City business permit and licensing office (BPLO) is set to impose 25 percent penalty on late payment of business tax due after the deadline set on January 20, 2015.

This was announced by Norman Tabud, chief of the BPLO, after instructing his office personnel to attend to late applicants for renewal of business permits by allowing office hours until 9 p.m. of January 19-20.

Tabud said the receiving of applications for renewal of business permits has been open every Saturday and Sunday for the last two weeks to accommodate those applying for renewal.

A total of 3,500 renewed permits are expected this year or chalking up more than 30 percent increase last year.

After complying with requirements for the business renewal, the applicant can wait for his permit within 15 minutes since the process is already computerized, Tabud said.

Meanwhile, BPLO is also set to accept applicants for new business registration starting second week of February 2015.

The city is expecting a surge of applications this year, seeking up more than 80,000 from 30,000 in the previous year.

Tabud said the city is living up to its new tag as a business-friendly city conducive to locators of business and industries. (LCP)