BACOLOD City Mayor Greg Gasataya has issued a crucial clarification regarding the requirement for closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras when securing business permits in the city. This move aims to address confusion among local entrepreneurs following an earlier announcement from the Office of the Building Official (OBO).
Understanding the CCTV Ordinance for Businesses
Mayor Gasataya explained that the mandate stems from City Ordinance 600, which was approved back in 2012. The law specifically requires banks, financial institutions, and business establishments with a minimum capitalization of P3 million to install CCTV systems on their premises. The primary goal is to enhance security measures and aid in crime prevention efforts across Bacolod.
"So if you have a sari-sari store, with a capitalization of at least P50,000, you are not required to install a CCTV for the processing of a business permit," the Mayor stated, providing clear relief for small-scale business owners. This clarification corrects the perception that the rule applied universally to all businesses seeking permits or renewals.
Strong Response at the Business One-Stop-Shop
Meanwhile, the city's Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) is reporting impressive figures for the 2026 renewal period. Stela Rose Rayos, head of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), revealed that as of January 9, 2026, they had received a total of 10,148 business permit applications. This number marks a substantial 44.18 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
In terms of revenue, the City Treasurer’s Office reported collections of P39,362,240.39 in business taxes from January 5 to 10, 2026. This is a significant jump from the P27,299,468.81 collected during the same window in 2025. Rayos also noted that her office had already issued 520 Mayor's Permits within that timeframe.
Extended Deadlines and Discounts for Compliance
To accommodate business owners, the Bacolod City Council has approved an extension for the BOSS operations and the deadline for tax payments. Authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, the ordinance grants Mayor Gasataya's request to extend the deadline for business permit applications and renewals until March 31, 2026.
The ordinance provides clear incentives for early payment:
- Businesses that settle their fees on or before February 28, 2026, will continue to enjoy a 10 percent discount on their business permit fees.
- Payments made after February 28 but before March 31, 2026, will be accepted without any penalties or surcharges.
Engineer Orlando Dalipe Jr., head of the OBO's Annual Inspection Division, earlier emphasized that his office would only issue clearances to establishments that are in full compliance with City Ordinance 600. The BOSS, which began processing barangay clearances on January 5, 2026, was initially set to conclude on January 20 but will now continue operations to support the extended deadline.
