Iloilo City Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD) announced, starting today, businesses operating without a proper permit will be given 10 days to acquire the appropriate documentation.

“If they still fail to comply, we will issue the second notice wherein they will be asked to explain, in writing, their reason for non-renewal,” explained BPLD head Norman Tabud. “For the last notice, they will be summoned by the City Legal Office for a conference.”

According to BPLD data, as of January 30, 11,362 businesses renewed their permits; however, there were 15,558 registered businesses in the city last year.

“I encourage all businessmen to renew permits [at] the soonest possible time,” he added. “Aside from violating the [National Internal Revenue Code] for operating without business permit, they will be made to pay the surcharge as well.”