Cebu City treasurer: Get business permits in only 10 minutes

Applicants can secure a business permit in Cebu CIty Hall within ten minutes if their papers are in order.

This is part of the city’s effort to make applications and renewals simpler and faster, said Cebu City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas yesterday.

After submitting all requirements, the applicant will get his business permit in ten minutes, she said.

Three documents are needed for renewing a permit: a filled-up business permit application form, the applicant’s 2012 and 2013 income statements and the 2013 ledger printout.

New applicants have to present an application form, barangay clearance and sketch plan of the location of their business.

ONE-STOP SHOP

A one-stop shop at SM City’s Trade Hall will be set up from January 6 to 24 to service more applicants so they don’t have to go to City Hall, said Cuevas in a press briefing,

Those who fail to file their permit application at the end of January will be charged 2 percent interest per month of delinquency and another 25 percent surcharge and penalties.

Cebu City has about 30,000 registered businesses.

Business permit applicants are required to submit 13 documentary requisites but Cuevas said that submission of three of these requirements is enough for the issuance of a business permit.

Other requirements, such as the sanitary permit and fire inspection certificate especially for new applicants, may be filed on or before the city treasurer’s office conducts a validation of businesses on April 20./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac