• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod City and other local government units in Negros Occidental started operating their respective business one-stop-shops (BOSS) Jan. 2.
The BOSS in Bacolod for new and business renewals is ongoing at the Government Center lobby, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, the city Public Information Office said, adding that one-time full payment of the assessed business tax until Jan. 20 entitles a taxpayer to a 10-percent discount.
The Business Permits and Licensing Division also encouraged taxpayers to go to https://ebpls.bacolodcity.gov.ph/ for online application and fill out the required form, either for renewal or new permit, to fast track the application.
Mayor Alfredo Benitez had said it is imperative for the City to simplify the processing of business permits by imposing a system where transaction time can be efficiently cut short.
In the 2024 BOSS, the “no-noon break” policy was imposed by the Bacolod city government while each of the 61 barangays was tasked to set up and man their offsite tables in processing and issuing the barangay clearance.
In Victorias, its BOSS operates weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), located at the back of City Hall.
The BOSS facilitates the application and renewal of business permits, ensuring a faster and more efficient process with all required agencies located under one roof, the city said.
These agencies include the BPLO, Bureau of Fire Protection, City Treasurer’s Office, City Planning and Development Office, City Health Office, City Engineering Office, and the Victorias City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
In Silay, the business permits registration renewals will also be until Jan. 20 at the city BPLO. Taxpayers are urged to check the needed requirements via https://bit.ly/SilayBPLOReq2025.
“Kindly bring the required documents for faster and seamless processing,” the city told taxpayers.
In La Carlota, the BOSS operation will be from Jan. 6 to 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, at the City Hall compound, specifically at back gate beside the Fire Station.
The BOSS location was moved because the city gymnasium 1 at Locsin-Ledesma Street is being used as an evacuation site due to the Kanlaon volcano eruption and is unavailable for business permit renewals, the city explained. | CGC
