BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The head of the Bacolod City Permits and Licensing Office is reminding taxpayers to pay their business taxes in full not later than January 20 in order to avail of 10 percent discount.
Stela Rose Rayos yesterday said the Business Renewal and Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) at the 4th floor of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City that started last January 3 will end on Thursday unless extended by the Sangguniang Panlungsod through a resolution or ordinance.
If the SP will not grant an extension after January 20, taxpayers will pay a surcharge of 25 percent, she said.
City Treasurer Arlene Memoria will be requesting the SP for an extension of the BOSS for another month, she added.
Rayos said that as of Friday, the total business registration in Bacolod reached more than 11,500, which is almost half of the 22, 267 total business registrations recorded last year.
“Despite the pandemic, we are very happy that there are several new business establishments in Bacolod applying for Mayor’s permit,” she said.
The last time they held the BOSS at the Bacolod City Government Center was in 2020. Last year, because of the pandemic they had to move out of the BCGC since they needed a more spacious area, Rayos said.
“We are happy that the Ayala Malls offered a space to the city for free. The place is more convenient and comfortable for the taxpayers and that the processing of business permit is more faster,” she said.
The BOSS houses the different government offices and agencies like the City Health Office, Bureau of Fire, Environment and Natural Resources Office, Office of the Building Official and the 61 barangays, she added.
Meanwhile, Rayos said that after the renewal of business permits, they will start the inspection of establishments for compliance of Mayor’s permit, as well as conduct safety seal inspections.
If a business establishment is awarded a safety seal certification, this means that it is compliant with health protocols standards and that she believes it could avail of additional 10 percent indoor venue capacity, she said.
Last year, more than 80 establishments in Bacolod City were awarded safety seal certifications. This is still ongoing because there are those who are still applying, Rayos added.*
