ACTING Permits and Licensing Division head Marie Ann Biasca has asked the business community in Bacolod City to apply for the issuance of their business permits or for its renewal early so that they can complete their requirements within the deadline.
Biasca said they have set up a one-stop-shop at the MKK building, formerly the canteen at the Bacolod Government Center, where applicants can comfortably process their application.
As of last Friday, a day after the one-stop-shop opened, they have already issued 51 business permits a day because of the implementation of the new system in processing permits.
Biasca said they have simplified or reduced the processing of business permits from 24 to only five steps with the implementation of a new system mandated in the joint memorandum circular of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Interior and Local Government issued August 6, 2010, which requires a unified form.
“Taxpayers will have no difficulty processing their business permits because we have simplified the processing system using standard procedures in compliance with the DTI-DILG joint memorandum circular, which we implemented this year,” she said.
Biasca said the unified form being used no longer requires notarization but taxpayers should make sure that it is the owner that signs the application form.
In the case of corporation, the president or manager or anyone authorized by the corporation should represent, while representatives will be required to secure authorization letter from the owner.
The deadline for the renewal of business permits is on January 20 but the one-stop-shop will run until February 28.
Biasca said they encourage all business establishments to come to their office to secure their business permits, especially those for renewals.
After January 20, there will be penalties imposed as stipulated in the Local Government Code, she said.
Taxpayers who will pay their business taxes in full between January 2 and 20, will automatically avail of 10 percent discount. She said there is no increase in taxes since they are using the same rates as last year’s.
The one-stop-shop houses the Office of the Building Official, City Health Office, City Planning Office, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
Taxpayers are still required to get their barangay clearances from their respective barangays before processing their permits at the one-stop-shop. (CNC)