This highly urbanized city started to accept the processing of business and mayor’s permits for 2026 on Monday, ahead of the regular renewal period in January.
In a memorandum, Mayor Greg Gasataya ordered the early start in preparation for the forthcoming business one-stop-shop (BOSS) operations and to ensure the smooth and efficient processing of these permits for the next calendar year.
“This is as well to avoid congestion and delays during the regular renewal period in January,” he said.
Gasataya directed all the offices involved in the permitting process to designate personnel and implement appropriate measures to accommodate applicants starting Monday.
These include the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), City Treasurer’s Office, City Planning and Development Office-Zoning Division, City Engineer’s Office, City Health Office, and Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod City Fire Station.
The BOSS, which gathers government offices needed to sign the business permits in one location, particularly the Bacolod City Government Center lobby, runs from the first work day of the year until Feb. 15.
In 2024, Bacolod registered a total of 24,690 businesses, data from the BPLO showed.
The number is higher by 8 percent compared to the 22,784 registered businesses in 2023. (PNA)