The city government here is optimistic about a continuously growing economy as it works to further improve its business permit issuance system to comply with the national standard on ease of doing business.

“The city sees a steady and vibrant economy with the registration of at least 843 new businesses during the first five months of this year,” Geraldine Anggulo, officer-in-charge of the city’s business permit and licensing office, said in an interview on Tuesday.

She said the new registrations brought to 23,423 the total number of business permits issued in less than six months this year.

Records also showed that the city government was able to collect PHP459,020,977 from business permit revenues and an additional PHP13,067,690 from special permits.

In 2024, the city collected PHP550,394,534 from fees and from business permits, topping the business permit fee collections in previous years — with 2,226 new businesses registered for the whole year.

Special permits are issued for trade fair participants, which are conducted with the approval of the city council, like the Panagbenga Session Road in Bloom and the monthlong Market Encounter.

Anggulo said that based on their records, 45 percent of the city’s businesses are classified as wholesale, retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

Accommodation and food services comprise 24.96 percent, while real estate activities make up 12.62 percent.

Entrepreneurs in the city can process their business permits online via the Baguio in my Pocket online application.

Business permit renewal may be processed manually at different satellite Business One-Stop Shops (BOSS) inside the major malls in the city.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has awarded Baguio City as the Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Award for the past several years. (PNA)