In a continuing crackdown on businesses operating without permits, the City Legal Office (CLO) Enforcement Team and the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) padlocked 17 other establishments Sept. 2.
These businesses include an internet café and gaming station found to be frequented by minors, as well as cellphone repair shops, grocery stores, a restaurant, an RTW shop, and a salon in Barangay 21.
This action follows the closure of six establishments Aug. 29, also for similar violation.
Mayor Greg Gasataya has instructed the CLO to engage in dialogues with business owners to facilitate their compliance with city regulations.
“They should not worry about the problems in the past, including the allegations of collections that never reached government coffers. I assure them that we will not tolerate such practices to continue,” the mayor said in a city press release Sept. 3.
“If they are facing problems that prevent them from securing permits, they should coordinate with us and we’ll act on it,” Gasataya stressed as he assured the city’s assistance.
Following the mayor’s directive, three businesses, including two department stores and an eatery, were allowed to reopen yesterday afternoon after complying with the necessary requirements.
CLO head, Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu, noted that the city’s digitalization efforts are streamlining the permit process, making it “more seamless, transparent, and secure.”
“We would know more how to help them, make processing faster, of course, with no shortcuts to the guidelines required by law,” he added.
BPLO head Stela Rose Rayos, meanwhile, said that 43 businesses have been recommended for closure due to permit deficiencies, with over 100 additional establishments found operating without permits during a recent inspection, leading to further violation notices. ||
