A total of 1,080 business establishments across the city are facing closure as the city government intensifies its campaign against businesses operating without permits and those violating sanitation regulations.
The Permits and Licensing Division of the City Mayor’s Office led by Acting Head Geraldine Angulo said that from January 1 to July 3, closure orders have been prepared for 1,080 establishments found with violations in 50 barangays inspected.
Angulo said 60 percent of the orders had been implemented. Of the total number of establishments, 27 complied before the closures were enforced and 17 complied after closure orders were served. Another 18 establishments have ceased operations.
The affected establishments were found to be operating without business permits and/or violating Tax Ordinance No. 2000-001 and Presidential Decree No. 856, or the Sanitation Code of the Philippines. Violations include improper garbage disposal, failure to maintain cleanliness, clogged canals, debris accumulation, overextension of business operations, and construction materials spilling onto public roads.
Angulo said that from January to March, closure orders were enforced against establishments that were the subject of public complaints. From April to June, enforcement focused on businesses whose violations were uncovered during the office’s regular inspections.
Regular inspections are being carried out by the licensing office in collaboration with the Health Services Office (HSO), Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and the Baguio City Police Office.
The most recent inspections covered areas such as Dontogan, Bakakeng Central, Lualhati, Loakan Proper, West Modern Site, Bakakeng Norte and several other barangays. Businesses inspected included auto repair shops, tank fabrication shops, brick-making businesses, eateries, sari-sari stores, junk shops, market stalls, and souvenir and fruit vendors.
Angulo said the inspection and closure operations will continue in more barangays as part of the local government’s intensified campaign to improve sanitation, ensure business compliance and maintain public order throughout the city. **Aileen P. Refuerzo
