Some 12, 287 business establishments here have renewed their permits while 1,482 have been issued tax order of payment (TOP) as of Jan. 31, a sign that city entrepreneurs are ready to continue operating despite the pandemic.

The TOP is the amount due for payment, which is generated according to the type of business.

Once it is paid, the business permit and licensing system will allow the printing of the permit.

Velma Jane Lao, head of the Iloilo City Local Economic Development Investment and Promotions (LEDIP) office, said in an interview on Wednesday that last year the city government has issued permits to around 16,180 businesses, both new and renewal.

However, 979 have closed shop for various reasons, she added. Aside from the renewal of permits, the LEDIP office has since started processing new permits at the start of the year.

“People are really eager to open their businesses,” she said, although data on the new permit applicants are unavailable.

Lao was optimistic that those who failed to beat the Jan. 31 deadline would still renew their permits to operate unless they experienced losses leading to the closure of their businesses.

She added that with the uncertainty due to the health pandemic, some businesses are shutting down.

“They were already hopeful last December but we again have this surge and we are now on Alert Level 3 where bars, especially are being closed,” Lao added.

Meantime, establishments yet to secure their “safety seals” are advised that the city government is gearing for online submission of requirements.

Their application will be subjected to validation by concerned offices and if they are compliant then they will be given conditional approval subject to surprise visits.

The safety seal given to an establishment means that the latter is compliant with the minimum public health standards and protocols necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection. (PNA)