BACOLOD City – Business permit applicants in this city will have more time to process their requirements as the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) was extended.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved on third and final reading on Wednesday an ordinance extending BOSS operations at city hall until Feb. 28.
BOSS aims to make “easier and faster” the business permit application and real property tax payment by having all concerned local government departments and agencies in one place.
It was originally set to operate from Jan. 3 to 20 only.
Mayor Evelio Leoanrdia earlier said he requested the SP to extend BOSS, citing a letter from the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Councilor Caesar Distrito – chairman of the SP committee on laws, ordinances and good government – said extending BOSS operations will benefit most businesses in the city as it will give them ample time to complete their requirements.
Distrito added that through this, the businesses would avoid paying the 25-percent surcharge should they fail to secure their business permits on time.
Meanwhile, Executive Assistant Samuel Montoyo Sr. – member of the Anti-Red Tape Act Core Team – said all 61 barangays in Bacolod have already participated in BOSS.
Montoyo earlier warned several barangays of facing complaint before the Department of Interior and Local Government, Civil Service Commission and Office of the President if they fail to participate in BOSS.
He said BOSS participation was mandatory as it is in line with Republic Act (RA) 11032, the law that amended The Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 to further “promote ease of doing business and efficient delivery of government services.”
Public officials who are found guilty of violating RA 11032 will be fined from P500,000 to P2 million with imprisonment of at least six months and at most six years, Montoyo added./PN
