Manila mayor lifts application form fee

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the city’s bureau of permits to stop charging a fee for application forms from every applicant in any trade, business and occupation in the city.

Lim found out about the P15 fee after complaints reached his office the other day. Permit bureau assistant director Senen Tomada said the fee was in accordance with Ordinances 7718 and 7996. Lim said he will have the ordinances repealed.

The fee, charged only during initial application, covers the cost of procurement and printing of application forms. The fee is not charged during renewals.

An estimated P200,000 is collected every year from new applicants.