Business permit renewal soon available at Galleria

CEBU, Philippines - Business owners in Cebu City can now renew their business permits for 2017 at Robinsons Galleria starting January 2 as Mayor Tomas Osmeña signs a memorandum of agreement with Robinsons Land Corporation yesterday.

Regional Operations Manager of Robinsons Land Corporation Floramie Vega said they coordinated with the city government for their Renewal of Business Permit Project.

"This is the first time [in Robinsons Galleria] because we just opened last year," Vega said.

The MOA states "WHEREAS, the First Party [Robinsons Land Corporation] expressed its interest to offer the area and facilities of their Robinsons Galleria Mall … to cater the First Party's Business Permit Renewal Project in January 2017, 2018 and 2019 free of charge for three (3) years."

As they bring the service to the mall, Vega said this would be convenient for the customers who can now renew their business permit as they can also shop and dine in the mall.

The service will begin on January 2 at 9 a.m. and will be located on the Ground Floor of Robinsons Galleria near the Activity Center.

Osmeña said in a text message that the agreement benefits the city since "It's free! We are grateful," he said.

"Actually this is not the first time that we have this mga ingun ani nga services that we make it closer to the community in the mall," Vega said.

There are also other services aside from the renewal of business permits. The mall also hosts transaction outlets for Social Security System, Securities and Exchange Commission, Professional Regulation Commission, PhilHealth and PhilPost.

Cebu City government's counterpart responsibilities are outlined in the MOA as follows:

"The Second Party [the City of Cebu] shall likewise provide the following: a. Final artworks and signages, if needed by the First Party at its own discretion, that may be utilized by the Second party for pre-announcement and promotions of the activity;

"b. Submit approved layout and corresponding set-up of the activity area on the event day;

"c. Bring and set-up its own sound systems, computers and all other facilities, materials and equipment for the activity. The First Party, however, can limit the volume of the said sound systems;

"d. Advertising of the activity;

"e. Shall shoulder electricity cost based on actual consumption, payable through  Robinsons Bank either cash or check;

"f. Shall shoulder the cost of janitorial service, computed based on deployment;

"g. Shall restore the area to its original state including re-installation of any board-ups/stockers that have been removed; and

"h. Shall ensure orderly crowd and queue control and handle complaints and concerns of the business permit customers for the duration of the activity. The sound system shall be moderate to a level that will not disturb other locators of the mall." (FREEMAN)