By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA
Nine out of 19 business establishments in Bacolod City’s Barangay Villamonte that were ordered closed on July 16 have reopened on Friday, July 17, after their owners signed a formal undertaking to secure permits.
These businesses situated along Villa Angela East Block are granted a 15-day grace period to resume retail operations while they complete the processing of their respective permits with the assistance of the newly established Business Investment Assistance Desk, City Legal Office (CLO) head Karol Joseph Chiu said.
The establishments were earlier cited for specific violations, including the failure to renew their business permits and the non-payment of required fees.
Chiu said the city government has intensified its crackdown on commercial establishments operating without the required permits, ensuring a fair business environment for all law-abiding entrepreneurs, sending a clear message that local regulations apply to all enterprises, regardless of their prominence or size.
“This ongoing initiative is fundamentally about leveling the playing field, ensuring that honest, tax-paying entrepreneurs who diligently comply with local laws do not have to face unfair competition from those who evade civic obligations,” he added.
Business owners were given one and a half months to process their documentation before the closure orders were enforced.
While the city is strictly enforcing regulations, Chiu said it is also extending assistance to entrepreneurs who wish to formalize their operations.
To streamline compliance, Gasataya recently issued Executive Order No. 81, establishing the Bacolod Business Investment Assistance Desk.
Chiu said the assistance desk is primarily tasked with helping business owners and investors with matters related to business permits, occupancy permits, zoning requirements, and other local regulatory requirements.
He added that the CLO and the Business Permit and Licensing Office will continue their operations in the coming days to implement the remaining closure orders./MAP, WDJ