By CESAR JOLITO III

Six business establishments in Bacolod City were ordered closed on Friday, August 29, for operating without the required business permits.

The Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), together with the City Legal Office, enforced the closure orders as part of a wider crackdown on 43 establishments recommended for closure.

Among those closed were a department store, a pastry shop, a salon, a dressed chicken plant, and a boarding house located in Barangays 31, 17, 15, and 13.

BPLO head Stela Rose Rayos said the firms violated Section 65, Article 20 of City Ordinance No. 565, or the Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City.

She added that prior notices had already been issued to the establishments before the closures.

“Upon issuance of the second notice of violation and closure, firms must voluntarily suspend operations and comply with the requirements within 15 days, pending the issuance of the mayor’s permit,” Rayos explained.

Business owners and representatives were also warned against resuming operations without proper permits, as this could result in additional sanctions.

The BPLO and CLO teams will continue enforcing closure orders on other establishments in the coming weeks./CJ, WDJ