City reopens one-stop-shop business licensing
ROXAS CITY – The city government here has reopened starting January 5 the "SULONG ROXAS Business One-Stop Shop" (BOSS) of its Business Licensing Division to process the renewal of business permits and issue new ones.
The yearly project is part of the program of the city government headed by Mayor Vicente Bermejo to encourage business activities and investments as well as generate more revenues for the city's coffers.
The city government has gathered together all of its offices and national government agencies involved in the business licensing process at the lobby and adjacent lawn of the City Hall to facilitate the one-stop-shop service.
Local businessmen who want their business permits renewed or are applying for new ones have been advised to visit the one-stop-shop for their needs.
Bermejo has reiterated that this is designed to make it more convenient and easier for local businessmen to obtain or renew permits to operate their stores or business establishments.
The one-stop-shop has remarkably made the renewal and issuance of business licenses and permits in the city more convenient by reducing the processing period to one week or even less.
Likewise, the chief city executive has cited the local business sector for its contribution to the revenue program of the city government which has helped push development including implementation of infrastructure projects, basic services, and livelihood programs.
This jives with the fresh government effort unveiled by President Arroyo at her first Cabinet meeting this year held in Iligan City, January 6, to step up livelihood and emergency programs, as well as create at least one million jobs in the first six months of 2009, as part of measures to lessen the impact of the global economic meltdown on the Filipinos, especially the poorest of the poor.
The Business Licensing Division said that for renewal of business permits and licenses, the requirements are the following:
- Previous Mayor's Permit
- Zoning clearance
- Building/Electrical Permit
- Health Certificate
- Fire safety certificate
- Income Tax Return for 2007 and Gross Income Certificate signed by the Owner or Accountant for 2008
- Barangay Clearance for 2009Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) registration (for new business)
For new business permits and licenses, applicants are required to submit a Barangay Clearance for 2009, Lease Contract (if building or space of business establishment is rented), occupancy permit, and DTI Business Permit or SEC Certificate.
National government agencies involved in the project on-site are Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, and PHILHEALTH.
Although a January 20, 2009 deadline has been set, the one-stop-shop will render services until the end of the month to cater to the influx of clients.
National Anti-Poverty Commision (NAPC) Chairperson Domingo Panganiban said President Arroyo has assigned all Cabinet members to handle emergency and livelihood programs over and above agency projects already in place. (PIA-JSC)