They say that in Singapore, it takes four days to go official with a business. While in the Philippines, it takes 13 times that (52 days for you non-math lovers).
As bad as it may seem, it really is tedious and dangerous if I may add. In my case here in Quezon City, I had to go back and forth four different buildings. Line up each time, or deal with difficult people. It's a good thing there are anti-fixer campaign banners prominently posted around the spacious complex.
I always made it a point to get a legitimate receipt whenever I paid for something.
Before you go, make sure you have the following:
1. DTI Business name registration (do it online since it's faster and cheaper);
2. Contract of lease if you are renting your business space;
3. Barangay certificate (in my barangay, a business permit costs P350. They required a copy of my DTI and contract of lease documents.)
4. Cedula - QC hall charges the most expensive rate for non-earning individuals. They charged me P52+ when Mandaluyong city hall only costs P9. Once you have all these, proceed to the business licensing office.
As of my application, they are at the ground floor of the open area behind the main building. Secure a business license application form at windows 1-2. It's a carbonized form worth P50. Wait for the clerk to issue a request for payment which you will settle at the new lounge alongside Landbank. This is the single story building in front of the newly built blue building.
Warning, make sure you fall in line at the right queue. A lot of payments are processed here so expect throngs of people. The lines move faster than in banks, though.
Another friendly note: lunch breaks are at 12-1pm.
Upon payment, present your official receipt to windows 1-2 for your business application form. Fill it out then submit back to the same window. The attending clerk will check your form then ask for the contract of lease, baranggay certificate. He will also note at the back of your form several offices you need to get your permit from. In our case, it's fire, electrical and location permit.
The fire department is near the East Avenue exit. It's at the ground floor. Upon submission, they will schedule a fireman to visit your establishment to check whether your business is fire safe and stuff.
After three days, the fireman who inspected your place would have finished a recommendation about your business.
Secure your location permit at the 10th floor. You'd have to submit a 3R photo of your shop along with the other requirements you already have at this stage.
The electrical permit is at the 8F. They'll ask you to fill or a form about your electricity load, what size is your fuse box in voltage, how many units of heating and cooling devices you have. They will collect a fee depending on your business type and you have to settle this at the 2nd floor of the same building.
Once all these offices have given you clearance - fastest in my case is electric dept, was able to get it same day; the others took 3 or more days - proceed back to windows 1-2 where you applied for the business permit form. They'll send you to another office which will inspect under which business category you belong too. They are located at the 2nd floor of the newly built blue building- they're with the business licensing permit office too.
Another inspection, and the person who checked your business will submit a report as to what business category you belong too. Their office does not collect fees, remember this.After a week, it should be ready.
You can then proceed to the BPL (Business permit licensing) office for assessment. Again, this is done at the building with red chairs. Line up at the appropriate line.
Once it has been assessed, you can pay for it at the payment lounge at the same building. This also the same area you go to when paying for real estate taxes. They only accept payments in cash or managers check so don't bring any personal checks. Get your official receipt then proceed back to the BPLoffice to present your payment. They will ask you to photocopy it, so you can xerox before approaching windows 7-8.
At this point, you can already bring home your plate - as in the business permit.
Congratulations!
No comments:
Post a Comment