BACOLOD CITY — Seven of 12 commercial establishments were ordered closed for failing to secure the necessary business permits during a series of joint inspection operations conducted by the City Legal Office (CLO) and the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) from June 22 to 24, 2026.
The issuance of closure orders forms part of Mayor Greg Gasataya’s directive to intensify the city’s campaign against unlawful business practices and protect the interests of legitimate and law-abiding taxpayers.
According to CLO Enforcement Team Leader, Retired Police Colonel Levy Pangue, several of the affected firms included a commercial building housing four tenants, three of whom were operating without permits.
Some establishments also failed to secure the required building and occupancy permits from the Office of the Building Official (OBO). Closure orders were issued for violations of Section 65, Article 20 of City Ordinance No. 565, Series of 2011, otherwise known as the Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City.
The enforcement action was carried out following comprehensive mapping operations and recommendations from the Bacolod Permits and Licensing Division.
Establishments cited for specific violations, such as non-renewal of permits and non-payment of fees, were directed to cease operations until all legal requirements are fully complied with.
“The city remains highly supportive of entrepreneurship and economic growth, but this must never come at the expense of fairness and the rule of law,” Pangue said.
“We cannot allow a system where the diligent are disadvantaged while those who bypass our ordinances operate freely.”
The city government, through the BPLO, strongly urges business owners with expired, incomplete, or non-existent permits to immediately comply with the necessary requirements before resuming business operations. The CLO Enforcement Team will continue its operations in the coming weeks to monitor compliance and ensure that all commercial establishments in the city operate safely, fairly, and legally. (BACOLOD CITY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE)
