City now requires brgy clearance for businesses

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Treasurer’s Office will no longer issue business permits to anybody unless the applicant can present clearance from the barangay where he wishes to operate the business.

Acting City Treasurer Emma Villarete said her office will strictly comply with the provisions under Section 152 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code.

The law provides that no business permit will be issued nor released to any applicant unless a corresponding barangay clearance is presented.

It was the officials of Barangay Tejero, by way of a resolution, who asked the City Treasurer’s Office to refrain from granting business permit without clearance from the concerned barangay officials.

The law provides that “No city or municipality may issue any license or permit for any business or activity unless a clearance is first obtained from the barangay where such business or activity is located or conducted.”

The law further provides that the barangay may impose a reasonable fee for issuing the clearance.

Tejero barangay officials have observed several instances in the past when the City Treasurer’s Office just issued business clearances for establishments even if the applicants failed to present barangay clearance.

Other barangay officials lauded the decision of Villa-rete to compel the applicants of business permits to pass through the barangays so they could also earn revenues out of the clearance fees. (FREEMAN)