The Mandaue City Government has officially granted business owners additional time to file their permits and pay taxes, offering crucial relief following recent natural calamities that disrupted local commerce.
Extended Deadlines and Key Provisions
In a move to support the local economy, the city administration of Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano has approved an ordinance extending critical deadlines. The new deadline for business permit applications is now January 25, 2026, moving from the original cutoff of January 20. This extension was sponsored by Councilor Joel Seno and formally announced by Lawyer August Lizer Malate, head of the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).
Malate emphasized that business owners who submit their applications online on or before January 25 will not be classified as late filers. Furthermore, these applicants will have an extended grace period until January 31, 2026, to settle their business tax payments without facing any penalties, surcharges, or additional fees.
Reason for Relief and Late Filing Consequences
The decision to extend the deadlines was made in direct response to the challenges faced by entrepreneurs after recent natural events. "This extension was granted to give more leeway and convenience to our business owners, especially after what the city has gone through," Malate explained, acknowledging the operational and daily disruptions caused by the calamities.
However, the BPLO head issued a clear warning regarding applications submitted after the new deadline. Applications filed after January 25 will be considered late and will not be prioritized for processing. These late submissions will incur a significant 25 percent surcharge, with an additional two percent interest charged for every subsequent month of delay. Processing for late applications will only begin in February.
High Compliance and Government Assurance
Despite the expected high volume of transactions, Malate reported a positive trend in early compliance this year. He noted that more business owners initiated their renewals in the first days of January compared to the previous year. To date, approximately 11,000 business permit applications have undergone preliminary processing.
Malate assured the business community that the City Government is mindful of the workload. "There are many applications being processed, so business owners should not worry," he stated. "The administration issued this ordinance to ensure that as long as they file within the period, or until January 25, their applications will be processed accordingly."
The City Government is strongly encouraging all business owners to take full advantage of this extended window to ensure the smooth and penalty-free processing of their permits and tax obligations.
