Iloilo City is off to a good start for 2024 after registering a 15 percent increase in business renewals and the number of new businesses as early as January.
The city’s Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) under the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Office has issued 14, 473 business renewal permits from Jan. 1 to 31 this year or almost 1,900 higher than the 12, 593 on the same period in 2023.
This is apart from 219 new businesses that have secured permits.
LEDIP Office head Velma Lao attributed this to the strong advocacy of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and the existence of off-site payment centers enabling the clients to accessibly process their renewals in the city’s partner malls.
The off-site payment centers are in SM City Iloilo, Festive Walk Mall at Megaworld, The Atrium, and Marymart Center.
Other than issuance of renewal and new business permits and other government fees, these off-site payment centers can also issue community tax certificates or cedula; health cards; Bureau of Fire Protection and Tourism clearances; PWD and senior citizen cards; birth and death certificates; and marriage licenses.
“Another reason is we continue to create a good business-enabling environment where businessmen foresee profitable growth. They have confidence that they can make it this 2024,” said Lao, citing the ease of doing business in Iloilo City.
Meanwhile, she noted it is surprising to record new businesses securing permits as early as January, a new trend that signifies a good and vibrant economy.
“We should maintain the vibrancy of our economy. We support local businesses; we continue to bring in new people, tourists, relatives, OFWs, and friends to experience Iloilo City and patronize our businesses here,” she added.
Last year, some 18, 927 businesses in the city were given business permits.
With the renewed business permits as of January this year, the city was able to surpass its target by 80 percent. (Iloilo City PIO)
