By Kristine Ina Magdosa, Davao Today Intern
DAVAO CITY – Business Bureau officer-in-charge Atty. Lawrence Bantiding said the bureau lacks personnel.
Speaking before members of the media in a press conference Tuesday, Bantiding said the lack of personnel is their major challenge during the processing of the business permits this year.
He said that as of January 11, they have already processed 18,949 new application and renewal of business permits and issued 2,857 permits to applicants.
Bantiding said the figure has increased by more than 2,000 compared to the same period last year with 16,812 applicants.
He also said that they are expecting 11,000-13,000 more applicants who could beat the deadline on January 20.
Bantiding said they are expecting 36,000 business permits to be issued this year. In 2014, the business bureau has issued 34,500 permits and 35,000 permits for 2015.
He also said that income generated from the business taxes amounts to over a billion pesos.
He also said there are 133 newly registered businesses this year.
He said they are trying their best to serve businesses and taxpayers in the city even with their limited number of personnel.Bantiding said the bureau’s ideal number of inspectors should be 12 in every area. Compared to the City Treasurer Office which has eight inspectors every district, Bantiding said they only have four area inspectors for the whole Davao City. The inspectors are those who see to it that business establishments have their permits from the city.
He said the processing of business permit renewal in NCCC Mall and in Sangguniang Panlungsod caters to an average of 500-600 applicants daily.
This week, the business bureau will do overtime work until 9:00 pm and will open on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for business applicants.
Meanwhile, Bantiding said that they will receive applications until midnight of January 20.(davaotoday.com)
