Valenzuela traders get permits within 5 minutes

MANILA, Philippines — Avy Nicolas, a 45-year-old trader, used to stand in line for three hours at the Valenzuela City Hall to renew her business permit.

On Tuesday, however, it took her less than five minutes using the city government’s newly launched “Paspas” Permit, a website that can generate a business permit within 10 seconds upon confirmation of the the applicant’s payment.

“They should not be afraid of [paying for their permits] online. We Filipinos are afraid of change but it should not be that way. Once they experience the convenience, they will realize that it’s hassle-free,” Nicolas said.

Residents applying for or renewing their business permits may avail themselves of the service through the Paspas Permit Fair which began last Friday and will run until Jan. 20.

According to the Valenzuela Public Information Office, applicants may go to the city social hall lobby from Monday to Friday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Saturday (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) instead of lining up at the business one-stop shop.—Meg Adonis