The Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) of Bacolod City for 2021 is being held for the first time outside of the Government Center to ensure strict compliance with health protocols.
It is now open at the 4th floor of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central from January 4 to March 31, a press release from the Bacolod City Public Information Office said.
The BOSS caters to the application or renewal of Mayor’s Permits (Business Permits) for 2021, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the conduct of BOSS at the mall aims to have a wider space conducive to observing the basic health protocols against COVID-19.
“Just as important as observing health protocols, we designed this system in line with our business-friendly policies which we had adhered to for so many years. This is an innovation to continuously create an environment conducive for business to rapidly grow. Our business community deserves a spacious, convenient, and accessible facility as they are a vital engine to our economic recovery program,” Leonardia said.
Although the mall opens at 10 a.m., its management has agreed to allow the BOSS operations to start as early as 9 a.m., the press release said.
The mall management has offered a of 1,600-square meter area to the city government for free to be used for the BOSS, it added.
Within this three-month period, applicants for business permits are entitled to avail of a 10-percent discount if they pay in advance their regulatory fees for the whole year, on or before March 31.
Stela Rose Rayos, head of the Bacolod Permits and License Office (BPLO), said this week, they can accommodate at most 300 clients per day, and they are aiming to increase the number to 500 clients per day next week.
The BPLO is implementing a “No Appointment, No Transaction” policy in order to control the number of daily clients at the venue to ensure the strict observance of minimum health protocols against COVID-19, such as wearing of face mask and face shield, and observing physical distancing, the press release said.
Clients must secure an appointment with BPLO prior to applying for or renewing their business permits.
For online appointments clients may log in to the Bacolod City government website at: https://ols3.bacolodcity.gov.ph/, the press release said.
For offline/walk-in appointments, clients can visit the BPLO at the ground floor of the Bacolod City Government Center or the BOSS at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central, it added.
Joining the BOSS are representatives of the city’s 61 barangays for clearances, City Health Office, City Planning and Development Office – Zoning Division, Office of the Building Official, Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Tourism Office, City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office, City Department of Agriculture, City Veterinary Office, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
The national agencies are Pag-IBIG and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Except for the BFP, which has set up a desk at the ground floor of Ayala Malls Capitol Central, all other participating agencies are situated at the 4th floor of the mall.*