Business permits in a flash

Business or mayor’s permits in 15 minutes?

Hard to believe? Not so in Quezon City.

Early business permit applicants became believers when they trooped to the city hall to renew their business licenses last Jan. 2, the first working day of 2003.

Five taxpayers personally went to the office of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to express their "unending" gratitude for the great relief the city government has accorded to businessmen and real estate taxpayers alike.

Angelica Soto, a lessor of an apartment located at 119 Bulusan St., San Isidro Labrador in Galas, is this year’s first applicant for the renewal of a business permit in Quezon City. Her permit, the first processed for 2003, was issued at 9:35 a.m., exactly 15 minutes after application.

Benjamin Galsim, a resident of 58 Scout Ojeda, Barangay Obrero, and owner of a five-door apartment, told Belmonte that he was already at home after applying for the renewal of his business permit, when informed by his daughter that an employee of the city’s Business Permit and License Office (BPLO) called up to say that his permit was ready.

Another apartment owner, Christine Quiane, of 78 Scout Chuatoco in Roxas district, said this gusture of the city government deserves all-out support from businessmen through prompt and honest payment of their taxes.

The other early business permit applicants – Corazon Hizola, of 91 Naranghita Barangay Quirino 2-B, and operator of Ultra Chem-Actants Industrial Sales and a two-room lessor, Pastora Ramos, of 50 Malumanay street, Barangay Teachers’ Village West, said Quezon City would benefit more in terms of tax collection from the fast processing of business permits.

Belmonte said the streamlining in the processing of business licenses and permit applications is testimony to the city government’s continued efforts to provide incentives to taxpayers and in changing the image of the city from a business-unfriendly environment to the most business-friendly city in the metropolis.

The mayor assured residents that "this is to be done if we are to build our beloved Quezon City as a quality community."

Business Permit and License Office officer-in-charge Pacifico Maghacot Jr. said the key to the expeditious issuance of business permits is Executive Order No. 30, issued by Belmonte last November, which drastically simplified the procedures, reduced the requirements, and streamlined the processing of business licenses and various permits and clearances for business establishments in their operations.