This highly urbanized city will roll out a new online business registration system this month, initially to promote simpler renewal transactions for the city’s more than 20,000 registered businesses.

Dubbed the “Bacolod City eBusiness One-Stop Shop” portal, the platform is set for official launch in the third week of November to open advance online processing for businesses with existing mayor’s permits renewing for 2027.

In a statement on Thursday, Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) head Stela Rose Rayos said that through the initiative, Mayor Greg Gasataya continues to push for transparent, efficient, and business-friendly governance, noting that the system eliminates going back and forth between offices to secure requirements and permits.

“This new online system gives business owners the freedom to process their applications and track their status from the comfort of their homes or offices. By allowing taxpayers to monitor their progress directly, we are promoting transparency, curbing red tape, and eliminating fixers,” she added.

Last year, about 24,912 businesses were registered in Bacolod, according to BPLO data.

The “Bacolod City eBusiness One-Stop Shop” portal, with the tagline “Simpler Transactions. A Stronger Bacolod,” was presented for a dry run or live simulation at the Bacolod City Government Center Lobby on Nov. 11.

Spearheaded by the BPLO, in coordination with the Management Information Technology and Computer Services, the activity brought together representatives of key regulatory offices and business owners to test the platform’s full functionality.

The new portal will allow business owners to submit renewal applications and complete all required regulatory clearances digitally.

Once they finish these steps online before year-end, they will only need to visit the BPLO office in January 2027 for final assessment, payment, and claiming of the permit. (PNA)