• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The deadline for the application and renewal of business permits and licenses in Bacolod City has been extended until March 31, per request of Mayor Greg Gasataya and approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod Jan. 7.
Only payments made on or before Feb. 28 may be given a 10 percent discount, while those paying from March 1-31 will not be charged with any penalties and surcharge, the SP said in approving the urgent request.
The business permit processing in the city, through the Business-One-Stop-Shop (BOSS), is ongoing at the Bacolod Government Center (BGC) lobby since Jan. 5.
As of Jan. 6, around 5,841 business registrations have been logged, with 3,854 availing of advance processing since Nov. 15 last year, the city said yesterday.
About 72 permits have been issued, with the 22 new business permits released on Day 1 of the BOSS.
Gasataya said 811 renewals were also accommodated on the first day, as the city “streamlines the processes to be more efficient and business-friendly.”
The city earlier said that by “co-locating all relevant offices in one venue, the BOSS program streamlines processing for requirements, including fire inspection certificate, sanitation inspection certificate, and building and occupancy permits, eliminating the need for applicants to visit multiple offices to complete their transactions.”
Agencies and offices participating in the BOSS, Mondays to Saturdays until Jan. 20, include the Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Pag-IBIG, City Health Office, City Planning and Development Office-Zoning Division, Office of the Building Official, Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Tourism Office, City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office, City Department of Agriculture, City Veterinary Office, Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department, and the Bureau of Fire Protection, among others.
The 61 barangays of Bacolod also put up their respective desks at the second floor of BGC for the issuance of barangay clearance.
Online business application, via https://ebpls.bacolodcity.gov.ph/, is also available.
Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) head Stela Rose Rayos had expressed optimism that many entrepreneurs will take advantage of the system to register or renew their businesses this year.
The BPLO said that 24,912 businesses were registered in Bacolod in 2025. | CGC
