THE Bacolod City Council approved the extension of the Business One-Stop-Shop and the deadline of payment for business permits from January 20 to February 28, 2018.
The extension, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, was approved during the regular session Wednesday.
Distrito, chairperson of committee on laws, said the extension will in effect exempt businesses that failed to secure business permits from payment of penalties and surcharges.
He said the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry had earlier sent their request to Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the extension of the filing of permits and deadline of the first quarter payment of business tax.
The mayor then endorsed the request to the City Council, being the body which can allow the said extension.
Permits and Licensing Division head Stella Rose Rayos also submitted her request for the extension of the one-stop-shop, which was supposed to end January 20, to accommodate the big number of business permit applicants.
“Several business establishments still failed to process their permits," Distrito said.
He said the barangay representatives will also stay at the Bacolod Government Center to issue barangay clearance.
Through the one-stop-shop, business owners can fast track the processing of permits, and save time and money since all agencies and offices they need to transact with are together under one roof.