The number of business permit renewal applications approved by the Iloilo City Government this year is higher compared to 2021.

According to Velma Jane Lao, Local Economic Investment Promotion officer, as of January 31, a total of 12,287 businesses operating in the city renewed their permits.

The figure is higher than 12,206 business permits renewed a year ago.

Some 1,452 applications are still being processed for approval, Lao noted.

From Jan. 21, the deadline for filing of business permit renewals in the city was extended until Jan. 31.

In a previous interview on IMT Conversations, Iloilo City Business Processing and Licensing Office (BPLO) chief Norman Tabud said majority of businesses in Iloilo City managed to survive and “thrive” amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Happy kita nga ipabalo nga despite sang pandemic nagapakita nga ang mga negosyo sa syudad are still thriving. Nagapaninguha gid except those nga restricted gid nga mga negosyo, they cannot operate until now.”IMT