The Business Bureau has recorded an increase of more than 1,000 applications for business permits during the month-long Business One-Stop Shop conducted this year, compared to the same period last year.
Business Bureau Head Maribel Paguican, during the I-Speak Media Forum on Thursday, bared that in January this year, compared with last year’s output, applications increased by 1,211, generating an eight percent increase in revenue in Davao City in terms of business taxes and fees.
“Most of our registrations are coming from retail and services—sari-sari stores, groceries, distributors, and all kinds of service contractors,” Paguican said.
The Business One-Stop Shop is a simultaneous conduct of permitting activities that took place in 10 different locations to reach as many clients possible.
“With that strategy, we have generated and reported an increase of 1,211. It is also true that while the deadline for payment without penalty already ended last January 31, we are still catering to renewals, but this time with penalties, surcharges, and interest,” Paguican said.
From January 1–31, 2025, the Business Bureau generated a total of 44,410 applications. For the same period in 2026, they recorded 45,621 applications.
“For the entire year last year, our data was 50,961. We are very positive that we can surpass this number toward the end of the current year,” she said.
Paguican added that in 2025, there were also those who applied for retirement for various reasons—some transferred locations, some transferred residence, and some changed business activities.
She said that the number of retirements is not alarming because the city experienced an increase in business registrations.
She clarified that these businesses did not necessarily cease economic activity but shifted to more productive business ventures.
Paguican also noted that some of those who applied for retirement were delivery riders who no longer needed to apply for business permits due to an ordinance catering to their sector; instead, they registered for occupational permits.
For more details on Business Bureau services and activities Dabawenyos may visit the office on the Ground Floor of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or call (082) 241-1000 loc. 377, 378, 381. CIO
