Manila LGU closes down 8 business without permits, obstruction to roads

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Manila has closed eight small businesses in the nation’s capital for operating without business permits and causing obstruction on public roads.

Among establishments that were shut down were unauthorized parking lots, vulcanizing shops, electrical shops, and junk shops located along Road 10 in Tondo.

According to a post by the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO), Bureau of Permits chief Levi Facundo said that the government already gave these businesses ample time to fix their appropriate permits as early as August 10.

“In the past months, we already conducted inspections and we have already found out that they don’t have business permits,” Facundo said, as per the post of the MPIO last Friday.

“We gave them ample time na maging maayos ‘yung kanilang negosyo; unfortunately, nakatanggap tayo ng iba pang complaints with multiple violations,” he added.

(We gave them ample time to fix their businesses; unfortunately, we received other complaints with multiple violations.)

Despite the crackdown, Facundo said that the Manila City government is not anti-poor nor anti-businesses.

“Ang hinihiling lang po natin sa kanila ay sana ay makipagkita sila dito, pumunta sila dito sa business permits. We will help them, we will give them advice, at ilagay lang po natin sa tamang lugar, tamang ayos and we will help you get your permit in one day,” Facundo said.

(We just want them to come meet us, come here to get business permits. We will help them, we will give them advice, and we will put them in proper places and we will help you get your permit in one day.)

Facundo led the serving of the closure orders together with Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau chief Dennis Viaje and other enforcers last Thursday. /je