Are you an aspiring new business owner? A business permit is a must for any establishment here in the Philippines. Without it, you have no legal right to run one. But do you know how the permit process works?

Even if we are in the age of information, people are still confused about what needs to be prepared. It does not help that despite the useful information given by the government, it is not distributed to everyone. Not only that, it is not easily understood. Sometimes it is better to be in the office to know what requirements are needed for processing. This article will discuss how the process works in the Philippines. Let’s go!

1. Know what kind of business you are running

Every business processing permit Philippines has its specific requirements. The local government needs to know what industry you are entering, whether it would be food, recreational, pharmaceutical, and more.

All businesses have a general permit to operate. And specialized businesses need to obtain special permits for the establishment to open. For example, a drugstore needs to have its medicine approved by the FDA, and its pharmacists need to be licensed. It ensures that the medicine sold goes through the proper process until the customer gets it.

There are different processing approaches, whether you are a sole proprietorship or a corporation. Here is an example, if you are a sole proprietor, you need documents from the Department of Trade and Industry. And if you are applying as a corporation, you need to coordinate with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2. Prepare the documents

The number of documents required can depend on the kind of business you will run. Most of the time, you will need the Mayor’s Permit, DTI, or SEC certificate, contract, and other documents. Some businesses need more permits than others. It can take too much time, but it is mandatory. Because of the number of documents needed, some are even discouraged from running a business independently.

3. Pay the processing fees

Processing fees will vary depending on the location of the business. Some local governments can accept payments in cash, but some are accepting digital payments for faster processing.

If you do not know how digital payments work and are the only available channel, you need to know how it works. Some do not accept cash payments, and you must create an account for digital payments. The local government may not process your documents if you do not pay digitally. It can be hard for others, as some are still not technologically literate. If you can, do your part to get the permits.

4. Wait for your documents to be released

The last part of the process can be the shortest or longest. It also depends on the speed of the office you are applying for. Once you receive your documents, keep them in a safe place. They are evidence that your business can operate properly. In addition, it includes information that is present in the local government’s system. So if you want a digital copy of your document, the local government can provide you with one.

At first glance, it looks easy to get a business permit. But once you do gather the requirements, it will take much longer. You will spend your time visiting the local government before you can run your business. You will spend efforts here, and you must have these documents to know that your business is compliant.

Author’s Bio:

Angelo Castelda works as a contributor for a news magazine in Asia. He loves to learn and understand diverse cultures and aims to share through his writing his experiences around the world.

Read more: How Business Permit Processing Works in the Philippines