Makati gives 15,000 food packs  to business permit applicants

MANILA, Philippines — Business owners in Makati who will file their application and renewal of permits will receive food packs from the city government.

Mayor Abigail Binay said they have set aside 15,000 food packs as a token of appreciation to “early bird” applicants for January. They are also giving out free coffee and snacks to early patrons.

“We appreciate their continued trust and loyalty to the city and value their contributions in making Makati the premier financial district,” she said in a statement.

Binay said companies and businesses in Makati are required to renew their local permits annually.

Under Ordinance No. 2022-A-171 approved by the city council, Binay said the deadline for the acceptance of payments for business licenses without penalty has been extended until Jan. 31 at 5 p.m.

“I encourage Makati business owners to beat the Jan. 31, 2023 deadline in order to avoid the penalties on late payments,” Binay said.

Based on the city revenue code, late payments incur a 25 percent surcharge and a two percent penalty per month of delay until the amount due is fully settled.

To renew business permits, applicants must go to the ground floor of the city hall. – Emmanuel Tupas

Basilan mayor leaves bag with P1.4 million cash at NAIA

A bag reportedly belonging to Maluso, Basilan Mayor Hanie Bud caused a commotion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA-2) when it was left unattended on Wednesday.

A security guard alerted terminal manager Erilyn Bautista at around 3:06 p.m. regarding a bag left behind between Bays 8 and 9, according to police.

Bautista called the attention of the police Aviation Security Group and airport security personnel. The ASG cordoned off the area and dispatched bomb-sniffing dogs, which found no explosives in the bag.

Upon inspection, the bag was found to contain a MacBook Air, identification cards, a passport, assorted ATM cards, a checkbook, Malaysian ringgit and P1.4 million in Philippine currency.

Police said the bag belonged to Bud, who arrived at the NAIA-2 from Zamboanga. Lawmen tried to reach Bud through Facebook about the bag, which is at the terminal’s lost and found section. – Rudy Santos