More than 600 boarding houses, apartments and dormotories in Iloilo City were found to be operating without business permits.

From February 1 to May 31 this year, the city government inspected a total of 1,418 lodging facilities.

Of the figure, 782 have business permits while 632 failed to present the required document and are still processing their applications.

“The Boarding House Commission’s (BHC) primary goal is to ensure the safety of borders, so we constantly remind the owners to renew their permits every year,” said BHC head Teddy Tingson.

“Let us cooperate because the Boarding House Commission assures that we will readily assist in resolving the concerns of the boarding house owners and borders,” he further said.

Of the inspected lodging facilities, 357 were in La Paz, 287 in Mandurriao, 283 in Jaro, 183 in City Proper, 113 in Arevalo, 100 in Lapuz, and 95 in Molo.

The city goverment’s inspection team is composed of representatives from BHC, Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), City Health Office (CHO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and the City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO).

Lodging facility operators are required to submit the following to obtain their busines permits: official receipt of Real Property Tax (RPT) payment if the space is privately owned, Barangay Clearance, Lease Contract, and a Certificate of Occupancy.

A BHC certificate is issued after the owners secure a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from BFP, Sanitary Permit to Operate from CHO, and a Business Permit from BPLO.IMT