QC to review business permit database

The Quezon City government is set to review its business permit database to determine which of the more than 50,000 businesses in the city have renewed their permits.

Pacifico Maghacot, chief of the Business Permit and License Office (BPLO), said the review is in connection with the effort of the city government to ferret out business firms operating without mayor’s permits.

"We will also be conducting occular inspections on businesses so that we can give the necessary notice to establishments not complying with the law," Maghacot said.

The BPLO chief made the announcement as he welcomed the recent dismissal by Judge Benelito Fernandez of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 97 of of a temporary restraining order on a complaint filed by Small Town Lottery operators (STL) against the cease and desist order issued by his office.

Maghacot said the court has upheld the power of the city mayor to issue business permits as well as cease and desist orders against erring business establishments.

Lawyer Christian Valencia, chief of the city government’s legal department which argued the case in court, said that contrary to the claim of STL operators, Quezon City is not among the pilot areas for STL declared by the national government.

The dismissal of the TRO was a major legal victory for the Quezon City government against the operations of legalized jueteng in the city.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the court’s ruling reflects the sentiments of Quezon City residents who are opposed to any form of gambling in the city.

"The people of Quezon City is happy about it, so am I," Belmonte said.