John Hay establishments with no biz permits set for closure

BAGUIO CITY – Establishments operating without business permits will be closed.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan  bared this, but said  these will be issued notices for them to process their permits with the city or face closure for non-compliance within prescribed period of time.

Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the John Hay Management Corp. , the subsidiary of the State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority  has granting his request to submit  list of companies doing business within the 247-hectare John Hay Special Economic Zone for the local government to have a reference in monitoring those that do not comply with existing business rules and regulations in the city.

The local chief executive said JHMC president and chief executive officer Allan Garcia agreed to his contention that businesses operating inside the JHSEZ that are not registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority should secure  business permits from the city government which is empowered by law to grant business permits to establishments and companies that are actually involved in business activities.

For PEZA-registered businesses, the companies reportedly enjoy tax holidays and that they are only mandated to pay to the government a total of 5 percent of their annual gross receipts whereby 2 percent will be directly remitted to the host local government.

Personnel from the city permits and licensing division previously attempted to inspect business establishments within the former American rest and recreation center to compel them to secure business permits from the city but JHMC officials refused to allow them to enter the zone.

“We are elated that we have JHMC officials who know how to work with local officials to ensure the smooth conduct of business operations inside the economic zone. We are optimistic that we will be able to harmoniously work together in ensuring improved economic activities inside the zone and the city as well,” Domogan said.

He said it would be unfair to the city if businesses operating inside the zone will not secure their permits from the local government because in cases of the problems on peace and order inside the zone, it is the nearest police station that responds.

According to him, the local government is just waiting for this list to be submitted by the JHMC management to allow personnel from the CPLD to inspect the business operations for their compliance with existing rules and regulations.

Among the city government requirements for the issuance of permits to business establishments include barangay business clearance, fire safety certificate, health certificate of employees in case of food establishments, clearances from the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth Corporation and Bureau of Internal Revenue.