Lapu-Lapu extends office for biz permit renewals

CEBU, Philippines – For the next three weeks, the Lapu-Lapu City Treasurer’s Office will be extending its office hours as business owners are expected to renew their permits or apply for a new one.

The office will be open for renewal and application of permits from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Assistant city treasurer Felicitas Baguio yesterday told reporters that they expect around 13,000 business establishments to renew and apply this year.

She said the renewal and application of permits already started yesterday and will end January 20.

To expedite the process, the city government created a one-stop shop near the City Hall entrance which is manned by assigned personnel from treasury office.

If a business owner fails to comply with permit requirements, Baguio said they will enforce penalties that range from P500 to P5,000, depending on the gross sales of the establishment.

“This is the first time we are imposing the penalty because we notice that many of the establishments are not complying,” she said.

In addition, another penalty, a 25 percent surcharge, will be imposed by the city government for tax payments from those who are only able to make it after the prescribed period.

Rolando Duero, executive secretary at the City Mayor’s Office, said if the application of new permits and business renewals in the city will increase, they are looking at Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob as alternative venue.

Duero added that those business owners who have a work schedule from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays will have a chance to process their renewal or application after their work since the one-stop shop is open until 8 p.m on weekdays.

"The reason we are extending office hours for the renewal and processing of new business permits is that the mayor doesn't want business owners to bear the burden of penalties," he said.

Last year, around 11,000 businesses were registered in Lapu-Lapu City. (FREEMAN)