Wholesale, retail top biz with permits in Baguio

Businesses under Wholesale, Retail, Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles top the list of establishments who duly registered their business in the Summer Capital for the first quarter of the year.
This was based on the Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC) which serves as a guide in the classification of establishments according to their activity for economic analysis.
The Permits and Licensing Division of the City Mayor’s Office revealed some 16,850 business permits were issued from January to March where 16,525 are renewal of permits and only 598 are new establishments registered with the city.
Of the total permits issued, the industry section on Wholesale, Retail, Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles composed most of the cluster of establishments at 8,186 followed by Accommodation and Food Services at 5,183.
There are 620 permits issued under the industry section on Other Service Activities (as a residual category) which includes the activities of membership organizations, the repair of computers and personal and household goods and a variety of personal service activities not covered elsewhere in the PSIC classification.
Meanwhile, there are 588 permits issued under Real Estate Activities; 401 Financial and Insurance Activities; 388 Administrative and Support Service Activities; and, 326 under Manufacturing industry.
Other classification of businesses in Baguio based on the permits issued by the PLD include: 273 Professional, Scientific and technical Activities; 209 Human Health and Social Work Activities; 207 Construction; 141 Education; 136 Transport and Storage; 104 Arts, Entertainment and Recreation; 92 Information and Communication; 24 Electricity and Gas; 22 Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste Management; two under Agriculture and one engaged in Mining and Quarrying.
The Permits and Licensing Division hopes to surpass the 23,231 business permits issued last year as the city government continues to innovate on means and ways for a more business-friendly environment.
In adherence to digital governance and ease of doing business, business owners who provide QR PH cashless service as an alternative mode of payment for their customers shall be granted a one-time 2.5% discount on business tax on the first year of adoption of Ordinance No. 71, series of 2022.
To avail of the discount, business owners need to present a picture of the QR Code displayed in front of the establishment or at their counter to the Permits and Licensing Office at City Hall subject to verification. – JMPS