Business owners in Mandaue City now have until January 25 to file their applications for business permits, following the approval of a city ordinance extending the original January 20 deadline.
Business Process and Licensing Office (BPLO) head Atty. August Lizer Malate said applications submitted after January 25 will be subject to penalties and may no longer be prioritized for processing.
“If filed beyond January 25, penalties will apply because these can no longer be prioritized and processed,” Malate said.
The extension also applies to the payment of business taxes, giving entrepreneurs extra time to comply without fees, penalties, or surcharges. Payments can be made until January 31.
Malate explained that the ordinance, authored by Councilor Joel Seno and approved by Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, aims to provide more convenience to business owners, particularly in the aftermath of last year’s typhoon and earthquake.
“The mayor recognized the need for the extension to give business owners additional leeway,” he said.
Under the Local Government Code, January 20 is the standard deadline for business permit applications.
The new ordinance grants a five-day extension, ensuring that online applications filed by January 25 will not be considered late.
Late filers will face a 25-percent surcharge and an additional 2-percent interest per month thereafter.
Despite the extended deadline, Malate noted strong participation from the business sector, with more establishments submitting early renewals in the first days of January compared to the same period last year.
The BPLO is currently processing over 11,000 business permit applications, which are now in the preliminary stage.
“Even with the short extension, business owners can be assured that as long as they file by January 25, their applications will be processed,” Malate said. (VCL)
