The Bacolod Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) has issued notices to at least 40 business establishments along Lopez Jaena Street in Bacolod City for operating without the required permits on April 21, 2026. Stela Rose Rayos, BPLO head, emphasized that the city will strictly enforce legal procedures against non-compliant establishments.
Three-Day Compliance Period
According to Rayos, if no action is taken within three days, a second notice for voluntary closure will be issued until the permits are finalized. Business owners will then be given an additional 15 days to comply; otherwise, their cases will be forwarded to the City Legal Office for formal closure, subject to the implementation timeline.
Inspection Highlights Encroachment Issues
The inspection, conducted under the directive of Mayor Greg Gasataya, focused on key concerns, particularly furniture shops along Lopez Jaena Street in Barangay 27 that have encroached on public sidewalks and road rights-of-way. Personnel from the City Legal Office Enforcement Team and the Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department (BTTMD) also participated in the operation.
In addition to permit violations, authorities warned several businesses, including furniture shops and fruit and vegetable vendors, to clear obstructions from sidewalks and roadways. This measure aims to maintain public order and ensure a fair business environment.
Legal Basis and Ongoing Enforcement
Violators were given three days to secure the necessary permits as mandated under City Ordinance No. 565, Series of 2011, also known as the Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City. Similar violations were observed among fruit and vegetable stalls at Libertad Market in Barangay 40.
Rayos stated that these efforts are part of the city government's ongoing initiative to enforce regulations, promote order, and ensure that all businesses contribute fairly to local development. From January 1 to March 31, 2026, BPLO records show that Bacolod City registered a total of 22,500 business applicants.
