One-stop shop for business permit opens

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Hall’s “one-stop shop” opens today at the SM Cebu Trade Hall for the renewal and application of business permit.

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said they are adopting this year what they did in 2013 since last year’s had a “smooth flow of transaction”.

Cuevas said the operation will run for 15 days, or until Jan.  24, and have several City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) employees to accommodate the estimated 30,000 business establishments that might opt to transact there instead of at the City Hall.

“Ubay-ubay gyod ang atong i-assign sa SM sugod ugma (We will assign in SM several CTO employees starting today),” she said.

A change this year is that from 13, requirements for application of business permit has been reduced to just three to encourage more businesses in the city.

The three requirements are the filled-out business permit application, printout of last year’s ledger, and comparison/income statement of 2012-2013 returns.

Cuevas said that after submitting all requirements, an applicant can get his permit in 10 minutes.

Businessmen are required to submit their Bureau of Internal Revenue income tax return on or before April 20.

Business establishments are only allowed to renew their business permits today until January 24.

However, if the business owners opt to pay after the said date, additional charges of two percent interest and 25-percent surcharge and penalties would be imposed by CTO.—/RHM (FREEMAN)