The Local Government Unit of General Santos City under Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD) together with City Treasurer's Office (CTO) kicks-off the renewal processing of business permits and other for renewal documents for the year 2021.

"Business renewal, this is the time where the privileges granted last year by the Mayor through issuance of business permit and/or will be expired by December 31. So the renewal period will be January 1 until January 20 and that is set under our revenue code unless extended by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, but as of today, it is the revenue code that is effective so the renewal period will be January 1-20, 2021," City Treasurer’s Office OIC, Mr. Rodilon G. Lacap said in an interview.

Mr. Lacap also said that they are trying their best to expedite the process under their program Streamlining Business Processing System which is required or prescribed under pertinent Joint Memorandum Circular issued by the DILG, DICT, Department of Trade, as well as required under the Ease of Doing Business and Public Service Excellent Service of the government under Republic Act 11032.

"Online (processing) is not yet popular because we tried that in September 2019 and the whole year of 2020, as we know that there was a pandemic, but we were not able to perfect because of the absence of manpower," Mr. Lacap further added.

As expected that large number of people will come, LGU-GenSan implemented a Road Closure and No-Parking Policy between Kasfala Hall to City Veterinarian’s Office (CVetO) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to City Assessor’s Office (CASsO) areas of City Hall from the period of January 03 until January 20, 2021 to provide more convenient mobility to the constituents in renewing their business permits and to implement as well the safety protocols against COVID-19.

BPLD also extended their office hours from 8:00am until 9:00pm starting January 04 up to January 20, 2021 to cater more business applications and renewals.

“Kung ang application ay for renewal, hindi na sila dapat kumuha sa barangay kasi dito na po ang issuance. Pero kung new business permit ang a-applyan, doon po sila kumuha sa barangay ng barangay clearance pero ang bayad ay sa City Treasurer’s Office na,” BPLD Division Chief Ms. Geraldine A. Zamora specifically said.

Furthermore, top 50 business establishments who were early birds in renewing and submitting their documents in BPLD will be selected and will be given prizes of P5,000 each for the top 10 and Plaque of Recognition for the rest. (CPIO/CFLS/RSC)