Bontoc businesses with no permits ordered closed

By Desiree Sokoken

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Bontoc Business Task Force (BBTF) ordered the closure of 27 establishments that have no business permits.

In a two-day operation from June 2 to 3, the task force went around the four central barangays issuing closure orders to business establishments that have failed to obtain permit to operate from the municipal government.

According to Karen Lumiwes, the licensing officer of the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU), the 27 business establishments that were ordered closed have failed to comply with Municipal Tax Ordinance No. 2012-176, which provides that: “Any person who shall establish, operate or conduct any of the business, trade or activity and pursue a calling or profession mentioned in Article shall first obtain a Mayor’s Permit and pay the corresponding tax imposed in the said Article.”

Lumiwes said prior to the issuance of the closure orders, the concerned business establishments had been given notices to comply with the aforementioned provision. They, however, had failed to do so within the set grace period which was five days.

“They had been given plenty of time to comply with the law. Even before we gave out written notices, we had been imploring them to obtain the necessary license to operate. But because they chose not to heed our calls and notices, we had to act accordingly,” said Lumiwes.

Of the 27 that were ordered closed, only 10 decided to legalize their business operation, and applied for a business permit. “As for the rest, they continue to act as if they are beyond the reach of our laws,” Lumiwes commented. “The Business Task Forces is now on the process of determining how their cases will be handled,” she continued.

Lumiwes urged those planning to open their own businesses to obtain the necessary license first so as to make their operations legal. “The procedure is easy and fast. You just have to make sure that you submit your documents to the Mayor’s Office after you have paid at the Municipal Treasury. The error committed by some is that they immediately proceed home with their documents after paying, thinking that payment is all there is in securing a business permit,” she said.