The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Antique has enjoined local government units (LGUs) to extend the period of renewal of business permits without penalty in support of their financial recovery.

“I had issued also a Provincial Memorandum addressed to the mayors reminding them of the proper assessment of the local business tax for renewal of business permits on January 4,” said DILG Antique provincial director, Cherryl P. Tacda, in an interview Tuesday.

The memorandum, which was based on the DILG Advisory on December 24, 2021, enjoined local chief executives of the province’s 18 municipalities to extend the payment of regular fees and charges without surcharges or penalties as well as to provide other possible assistance for businesses.

“The Provincial Memorandum had been issued in time for the LGUs that are now having their one-stop shop for the renewal of the business permits,” Tacda said.

The renewal of business permits started on January 3 until January 20 or may be extended by the LGU.

She also reminded LGUs and taxpayers to strictly observe minimum public health standards (MPHS) such as wearing of face mask and observing safe physical distancing during their transactions.

Among those on board the business one-stop-shop is the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to assist establishment owners to comply with the requirements for clearances according to the Fire Code of the Philippines.

“There are BFP personnel assigned in the one-stop shop so that the clients could easily access their services,” said Fire Officer 2 (FO2) Vilmarie Pagunsan in an interview.

Belison Acting Municipal Fire Marshal, Senior Fire Officer (SFO) 4 Alenel Cuayson, in a press release, said they “committed to deliver effective and efficient services to the community when it comes to business transactions”.

She added that they are strictly complying with Republic Act 11032 or Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.(PNA)