Dads approve ordinance for better permit renewal

CEBU - The City Council has approved an ordinance establishing a new system for the renewal of business permits, an answer to the clamor of the business establishments to overhaul the system being implemented at City Hall.

Sponsored by Councilor Jose Daluz III, the approved ordinance acknowledges the need to rationalize the system by which business establishments in the city can renew their permits.

Under the improved system, the applicant shall secure a business permit form from the Business Permit and Licensing Division or on-line. A barangay clearance, sanitary permit, real property tax clearance (if the applicant owns the lot) and lease contract (if the land or building is rented), the applicant’s status, the assessed business tax, and the print out of the corresponding billing shall be attached to the form.

The form shall be subsequently evaluated by personnel-in-charge at the division.

If the evaluation is successful, the personnel in-charge shall return the form to the applicant who shall pay the corresponding business tax and fixed fees to the cashier.

“Payment can also be made through the use of internet banking, automated teller machines, and over the counter payment with accredited banks,” the ordinance reads.

Upon the presentment of the official receipt of payment, the personnel in-charge shall then prepare the business permit and the city mayor and the city treasurer or their authorized representatives shall approve and affix their signatures on the said permits.

“The business permits may also be issued through electronic means. The mechanisms and the manner of the issuance shall be provided in the implementing rules and regulations to be promulgated,” the ordinance added.

The Business Permit Division shall then release the approved permit to the applicant but the permit shall be effective only after 30 days.

Within the 30-day period, the applicant must comply with other requirements such as clearances from Philhealth, Pag-ibig and Social Security System, original copy of the official receipts of payments of occupational/professional tax and original copy of community tax of all employees of the current year.

Failure on the part of the applicant to comply with the said requirements shall mean automatic revocation of the business permits issued, which may warrant the closure of the establishment. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (THE FREEMAN)