Quezon City starts issuance of e-business permits

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has started the issuance of electronic copies of business permits to those who applied through the city’s e-services online portal.

Margie Santos, head of the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD), said the permits can be used in lieu of the original or printed copy of the permit.

“Business establishments can use the eletronic copy while their authenticated copy is yet to be released,” Santos said.

She encouraged businesses to use the QC e-services portal, which was established to provide more convenience to business owners applying for renewal of permits, especially during the pandemic.

The BPLD earlier rebooted its system and canceled all pre-booked appointment slots after it discovered that a group of individuals has secured thousands of appointment slots without definite transactions.

Mayor Joy Belmonte has warned the public against fixers who offer appointment slots for securing business permits at the city hall.

“Our appointment system for business permit is free. Please do not transact with fixers who promise to make the process easier for you. Our system is already easy enough, you just have to log in to the QC e-services website,” Belmonte said.

Starting this month, Santos said the portal would only allow the use of an e-mail address once at a time.

“If the user of the e-mail address fails to show up on the date of appointment thrice, then that e-mail address will be blocked,” she said.