By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

Nineteen business establishments in Bacolod City were ordered closed on Thursday, July 16, for operating without business permits.

Levy Pangue, City Legal Office (CLO) enforcement unit head, said the establishments included eateries, grocery stores and other businesses located along Villa Angela East Block in Barangay Villamonte.

The establishments were cited for specific violations, including the non-renewal of business permits and the non-payment of required fees.

They are allowed to continue their conduct of business unless they fully comply with all legal requirements.

Pangue said that notices had already been served to the establishments before the closure order was enforced.

“The city remains highly supportive of entrepreneurship and economic growth, but this must never come at the expense of fairness and the rule of law,” Pangue said.

“We cannot allow a system where the diligent are disadvantaged while those who bypass our ordinances operate freely,” he added.

Pangue said the enforcement action was carried out following comprehensive mapping operations and recommendations from the Bacolod Business Permits and Licensing Division.

Meanwhile, the city government urged business owners with expired, incomplete or non-existent permits to immediately comply with the necessary requirements before resuming operations.

The closure order was implemented by the CLO, the Business Permits and Licensing Office and the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department./MAP, WDJ