BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Business Task Force ordered the closure of 27 establishments that have no business permits.
During the operation from June 2 to 3, the task force went around the four central barangays issuing closure orders to business establishments that have failed to obtain permit to operate from the municipal government.
Karen Lumiwes, municipal licensing officer, said the 27 business establishments that were ordered closed have failed to comply with Municipal Tax Ordinance 2012-176, which provides, “Any person who shall establish, operate or conduct any of the business, trade or activity and pursue a calling or profession mentioned in the Article shall first obtain a mayor’s permit and pay the corresponding tax imposed in the said article.”
Lumiwes said prior to the issuance of the closure orders, the concerned business establishments had been given notices to comply with the aforementioned provision. They, however, failed to do so within the five-day grace period.
“They had been given plenty of time to comply with the law. Even before we gave out written notices, we had been imploring them to obtain the necessary license to operate. But because they chose not to heed our calls and notices, we had to act accordingly,” Lumiwes said.
Only 10 of the establishment owners whose businesses were ordered closed decided to legalize their business operation and applied for a business permit. “As for the rest, they continue to act as if they are beyond the reach of our laws,” Lumiwes said. “The business task force is now on the process of determining how their cases will be handled.
Lumiwes called those planning to open businesses to obtain the necessary license first to make their operations legal.