One-stop shops for permit renewals open

The Cebu City Government will grant provisional business permits to business owners who are having a hard time completing their requirements as long as they pay their tax due.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced the development with the City’s one-stop shop for the renewal of business permits at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu expected to start operating on Friday, Jan. 4.

“If you have a hard time completing your requirements, you can still get a provisional permit that will allow you to stay open. Even if your application is not complete, let me assure you that your business will not be shut down as long as you’re paying business taxes,” Osmeña said in a Facebook post.

“We are trying to make things as easy as possible for you. Do not worry about complete requirements. Just come and we will help you out,” he added.

According to the City Treasurer’s Office’s estimates, there are around 39,000 business establishments in the city.

In another Facebook post published by the Cebu City’s Public Information Office, Osmeña urged business owners to register their establishments or to renew their permits.

“My brother Cebuanos, now is the time for you to renew or acquire your business permits,” he said.

Exceptions

Osmeña said business owners can process their permits as long as they are not blacklisted by the City, referring to owners of establishments that had been padlocked.

Earlier, City Treasurer Arlene Rentuza said all transactions related to business permits would be entertained only at the Robinsons Galleria since they transferred all their computers there for the one-stop shop.

The one-stop shop, which opens at 9 a.m., an hour before the mall opens, will process business permits until Jan. 25.

The Mandaue City Government also opened a one-stop shop for the renewal of business permits and payment of real property taxes on Thursday, Jan. 3.

Located inside the Mandaue City Sports Complex across the Mandaue City Police Office, the one-stop shop is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday, with no noon break.

On Saturday and Sunday, the one-stop shop is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Mandaue City Treasurer’s Office is expecting 13,000 individuals to renew permits. It targets to rake in P2.4 billion, which will be endorsed by the Office of the Mayor as the budget for 2019.

City Treasurer Regal Oliva said the deadline for the renewal of business permits and payment of real property taxes is set on Jan. 20. There will be no extension, he said.