Mandaue City extends deadline for business permit applications

CEBU, Philippines — Business owners in Mandaue City have been granted a five-day extension to secure their business permits following the approval of an ordinance moving the deadline to January 25 from January 20.

Business Process and Licensing Office (BPLO) head Atty. August Lizer Malate said the extension also covers the payment of business taxes, giving entrepreneurs additional time to comply without penalties.

Malate said the extension was granted under an ordinance authored by Councilor Joel Seno and recently approved by Mayor Jonkie Ouano to provide more leeway and convenience to business owners, particularly in the aftermath of last year’s typhoon and earthquake.

“Nakita sa Mayor tungod atong mga panghitabo last year, and to give more leeway and convenience sa atong mga negosyante,” Malate said.

Under the Local Government Code, January 20 is the standard deadline for business permit applications, but the newly approved ordinance extends this by five days. Applications filed through the city’s online system on or before January 25 will not be considered late.

Business owners are also given until January 31 to pay their business taxes without incurring fees, penalties, or surcharges.

Malate clarified that applications filed beyond January 25 will already be subject to penalties and may no longer be prioritized for processing within the month.

“If ni-file beyond or after January 25, naa na nay penalty kay dili naman nato ma-prioritize, dili na nato ma-process. Sa February na sila,” he said.

Late filers will face a 25-percent surcharge and an additional two-percent interest per month thereafter.

Despite the extension, Malate noted a strong response from the business sector, with more establishments filing for permit renewal during the first days of January compared to the same period last year.

He added that the BPLO is currently handling more than 11,000 business permit applications, which are undergoing preliminary processing.

“As early as now, nalipay ta nga relatively daghan og nag-apply sa renewal of business early, during the first days of January,” Malate said.

Malate reminded business owners that the ordinance granting the extension has already been issued, assuring them that applications filed on or before January 25 will be processed accordingly. — (FREEMAN)