The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has directed the automatic renewal of Hedcor’s Business Permit in Bakun after finding the submission of requirements to be complete.
Prior to Hedcor’s Business Permit expiration on March 31, 2021, Hedcor made numerous attempts to tender payment and submit its application for renewal as early as January 2021. However, this was rejected by the municipal mayor and the punong barangays of Sinacbat and Poblacion.
To recall, Hedcor has also sought guidance from the Department of Interior and Local Government-Cordillera Administrative Region (DILG-CAR).
In agreement with ARTA’s findings, DILG-CAR said that, “The issuance of licenses or permits shall only be pursuant to law or ordinance and the municipal mayor is bereft of the authority to impose additional conditions on the issuance, renewal, or continued validity of a business permit other than what the law and/or ordinance provides.”
“Insofar as the issuance of the barangay clearance is concerned, again, we find no legal basis for requiring the execution of the MOA as a prerequisite for the issuance of such. There being none, the barangay has no authority to require more than what the law, its Citizen’s Charter, or its ordinance provides,” further stated by DILG-CAR.**
