• THERESA MAE DULMAN
AMA Computer College secured its business permit July 30, preventing a planned shutdown by the Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) and the Business Permits and Licensing Office.
City Legal officer, Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu, said July 31 that the school obtained a permit after completing its pending compliance requirements with the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office.
“We were about to implement the closure but it’s good that they were able to comply with the requirements. The city has issued them a business permit to operate,” Chiu said.
The compliance came ahead of the closure order to be served supposedly July 30, following the expiration of a 15-day second notice grace period July 22.
The lack of permit was discovered after some 200 Senior High School students were initially barred from marching during their graduation ceremony.
“On the part of the city, we explained to them that this is not meant to make things difficult for business owners or institutions, but rather to ensure compliance with our regulatory requirements,” Chiu added.
Aside from AMA Computer College, 19 commercial establishments, including a known bar and restaurant, reopened for business after completing their respective permit requirements.
“One good thing is that everyone has complied now because, previously, what they would do was just issue an affidavit of undertaking. For three years, it was just affidavits of undertaking without ever finishing the process, and then resorting to fixers. Now that everyone is compliant, the next renewal will be much easier,” Chiu added. | TMD
