Mayor John Dalipe has issued an executive order that seeks to streamline the procedures for issuance of business licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations pursuant Rule IX of the implementing rules and regulations of RA 11032, otherwise known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.”

In his Executive Order JD 105 dated November 24, 2023, particularly Section 1, Mayor Dalipe decreed that a single or unified business application form shall be issued in processing new and renewal application for business permits, which consolidates all the information on a business registrant needed by the city government, including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The unified form shall be made available and downloadable in the city’s official website and/or in social media websites, which can be filled up electronically and/or printed for submission.

For new business registration, the following Documentary Requirements are required: Proof of registration i.e., certificate of Registration issued by the SEC for all kinds of corporations; CDA for cooperatives; DTI for sole proprietor; Proof of right of applicant to use location as business address, which may include, if owned- proof of ownership- Transfer Certificate of Tile or Tax Declaration; if not owned by applicant- Contract of Lease, Memorandum of Agreement, or written consent of property owner. Fire Safety Inspection Certificate for Occupancy, valid in the last 9 months as required by BFP.

For applicants with valid FSIC for occupancy, the EO requires Affidavit of Undertaking that there had been no substantial changes made on the building/establishment giver the FSIC (requirement of BFP).

Renewal applications require proof of annual gross receipts, which may include: audited financial statements (AFS) or unaudited AFS for those who are not required to file AFS with the BIR or sworn declaration of gross sales or receipts or income tax returns.

The EO further states that ins the absence of AFS, the local business tax shall be based on the Sworn Declaration of Gross sales or receipts by the taxpayer or its income tax returns. In case of suspected under declaration of gross/sales receipts, the application shall be tagged by the LGU and the business may be subjected to examination of books of accounts by the local treasurer, which shall be done after the business renewal period.

Moreover, the EO provides that application for a new business permit and for business renewals shall be acted upon within three working days, following three steps each, respectively.-[Vic Larato] (FILE PHOTOS)