TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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)
)
SENAl'lo
ii.i .
, - 
of I
2b JUL 15 PI :34
Rl-CElVn} BV.
S. B. No
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICE IN EVERY CITY 
OR MUNICIPALITY IN THE COUNTRY AND MAKING THE POSITION OF A 
BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER MANDATORY IN EVERY CITY OR 
MUNICIPALITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
SECTIONS 171, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 183, 194, 195, 196, 280, 
316, 443, AND 454, AND ADDING SECTION 490-A TO 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act (RA) No. 11032, otherwise known as the "Ease of Doing Business and 
Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018", was enacted into law on May 28, 2018, 
amending RA No. 9485, otherwise known as the "Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007". It was enacted 
to provide improved and better government services and transactions through simplified 
requirements and procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite business- and non­
business-related transactions in government.
Doing Business index is a ranking system across 190 economies, which provides 
objective measures of business regulations and enforcement in terms of starting a business, 
dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, 
protecting minority investors, and paying taxes. Despite the enactment of RA No. 11032 in 
2018, in the most recent Doing Business rankings released by the World Bank in 2020, 
Philippines ranked 95th overall and 171st in terms of starting a business, poorest among the


nine doing business indicators.1
To address this problem, the undersigned proposes through this bill the 
institutionalization of a Business Permit and Licensing Office, to be headed by the Business 
Permit and Licensing Officer, in every city or municipality in the country.
This measure also proposes the following powers, duties, and functions in the 
Business Permit and Licensing Office and its head;
1. Processing of business and mayor's permits, occupational permits, including the 
assessment of business taxes, fees, and charges of the various businesses within 
its jurisdiction;
2. Monitoring and enforcement of tax ordinances and other pertinent laws, 
ordinances, rules and regulations in the operations of businesses and occupations;
3. Formulation of policies to draw local and foreign investments;
4. Initiation and recommendation to the mayor revenue-generating measures to 
increase local revenues;
5. Conduct of tax mapping and regular inspection of all business establishments;
6. Issuance and implementation of necessary notices and orders to concerned 
establishments; and
7. Performance of such other powers, as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.
This measure also amends RA No. 7160 or the Local Government Code to transfer 
the following powers from the city or municipal treasurer to the city or municipal business 
permit and licensing officer:
1. Examination of books of accounts and pertinent records of businessmen;
2. Seizure or confiscation through levy or distraint of real or personal property, 
incidental to tax, fee, or charge delinquency;
3. Posting of advertisements for sale or auction of properties seized;
4. Processing of redemption of properties by the delinquent taxpayer and execution 
of deed to the purchaser in case of non-redemption;
5. Filing of civil action to collect delinquent taxes, fees, charges or other revenues;
Available at: https://archive.doinqbusiness.org/en/rankinqs (Date last accessed: June 23, 2025).


Issuance of assessment on delinquent taxes, fees, charges or other revenues and 
deciding on protests filed relating to such, if any;
Processing claims for refund of tax credit; and
Inclusion of city or municipal business permit and licensing officer in the members 
of local finance committee.
In view of the foregoing, urgent approval of this rndasure is^rnestly sought.
IN GATCHALTAN


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10
of u,',' £
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 15 PI 34
RrcaviDBv.
SENATE 
S.B. NO. R20
Introduced by Senator Win Gatchalian
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICE IN EVERY 
CITY OR MUNICIPALITY IN THE COUNTRY AND MAKING THE POSITION 
OF A BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER MANDATORY IN EVERY 
CITY OR MUNICIPALITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
SECTIONS 171, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 183, 194, 195, 196, 
280, 316, 443, AND 454, AND ADDING SECTION 490-A TO REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Business Permit
and Licensing Office (BPLO) Act of 2025".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to recognize the 
indispensable role of the private sector and encourage private enterprise through 
establishing policies to ensure ease of doing business, and to simplify systems, 
structures, and procedures in the issuance of business permits and licenses.
Sec. 3. Establishment of a Business Permit and Licensing Office. - A Business
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Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) shall be established in every city or
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municipality in the country.
Sec. 4. Powers, Duties and Functions. - The Business Permits and Licensing


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Office shall be responsible for the following:
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a) Process and act on all applications for business and mayor's permits
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required under applicable law, ordinance, rules and regulations, and
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licenses, as well as occupational permits, including the assessment of
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business taxes, fees, and charges of the various businesses in the city or
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municipality;
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b) Assess and determine the local business tax liabilities of a business
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operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the city or municipality. For
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this purpose, the BPLO may examine the books of accounts of the said
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business;
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c) Monitor and enforce the applicable tax ordinances (except those
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pertaining to real property taxes) and other pertinent laws, ordinances,
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rules and regulations in the operations of businesses and occupations
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within the jurisdiction of the city or municipality;
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d) Formulate policies to draw local and foreign investments especially in
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priority areas and industries as a tool to define the development thrust
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of the city or municipality;
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e) Initiate, review, and recommend to the mayor revenue-generating
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measures to increase local revenues;
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f) Conduct tax mapping and regular inspection of all business
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establishments existing and operating within the territorial jurisdiction of
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the city or municipality;
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g) Issue and implement necessary notices and orders to concerned
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establishments in relation to its roles under this Act;


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h) Perform such other duties and functions, and exercise such other powers
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as may be prescribed by law or ordinance."
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Sec. 5. Composition and Office Structure. - The Business Permits and
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Licensing Office shall be composed of divisions, but not limited to the following
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four (4) principal divisions, namely:
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a) Administration Division - This division is tasked to handle administrative
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functions of the Investments and Business Permits and Licensing Office;
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b) Business Permits and Licensing or Occupational Permits Division - This
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division shall act on all applications for business and mayor's permits and
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occupational permits, as required under applicable laws, ordinances,
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rules and regulations;
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c) Investments Division - This division is tasked to craft policies that shall
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increase local investments in the local government unit in coordination
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with concerned offices for submission to the local sanggunian for
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ratification. It shall also supervise compliance of business establishments
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that have partnered with the 
local government on investment
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opportunities.
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d) Inspection Division - This division shall handle the technical function of
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the Business Permits and Licensing Office through:
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1) Tax mapping and regular inspections of all business
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establishments existing and/or operation within the territorial
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jurisdiction of the LGU;
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2) Issue and/or implement notices and/or orders to the concerned
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establishments; and


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3) Perform such other matters and functions that may be assigned
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by the Business Permits and Licensing Officer.
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Provided, That the city or municipality is not precluded in creating additional
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divisions under the Business Processing and Licensing Office.
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Sec. 6. Section 171, Book II, Title One, Chapter 3 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 171. Examination of Books of Accounts and Pertinent
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Records of Businessmen by [Locai] PROVINCIAL AND BARANGA Y
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Treasurer AND CITY AND MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER. — The provincial[, city, municipal] or
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barangay treasurer, OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT
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AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, may, by himself
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or through any of his deputies duly authorized in writing, examine the
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books, accounts, and other pertinent records of any person,
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partnership, corporation, or association subject to local taxes, fees and
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charges in order to ascertain, assess, and collect the correct amount of
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the tax, fee, or charge. Such examination shall be made during regular
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business hours, only once for every tax period, and shall be certified to
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by the examining official. Such certificate shall be made of record in the
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books of accounts of the taxpayer examined.
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In case the examination herein authorized is made by a duly
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authorized deputy of the [local] PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY
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treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, the written authority


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of the deputy concerned shall specifically state the name, address, and
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business of the taxpayer whose books, accounts, and pertinent records
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are to be examined, the date and place of such examination and the
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procedure to be followed in conducting the same.
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For this purpose, the records of the revenue district office of the
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Bureau of Internal Revenue shall be made available to the [local]
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PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL
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BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE
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MAY BE, his deputy or duly authorized representative.
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Sec. 7. Section 175, Book II, Title One, Chapter 4 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 175. Distraint of Personal Property. — The remedy by
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distraint shall proceed as follows:
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(a) Seizure — Upon failure of the person owing any local tax, fee,
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or charge to pay the same at the time required, the [local]
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PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY treasurer OR CITY OR
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MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING
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OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, or his deputy may, upon
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written notice, seize or confiscate any personal property
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belonging to that person or any personal property subject to
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the lien in sufficient quantity to satisfy the tax, fee, or charge
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in question, together with any increment thereto incident to
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delinquency and the expenses of seizure. In such case, the
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[local] PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY treasurer OR CITY


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OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING 
OFFICER or his deputy shall issue a duly authenticated 
certificate based upon the records of his office showing the 
fact of delinquency and the amounts of the tax, fee, or charge 
and penalty due. Such certificate shall serve as sufficient 
warrant for the distraint of personal property aforementioned, 
subject to the taxpayer's right to claim exemption under the 
provisions of existing laws. Distrained personal property shall 
be sold at public auction in the manner herein provided for.
(b) XXX XXX
(C) XXX XXX
(d) XXX XXX
(e) Procedure of sale — At the time and place fixed in the notice, 
the officer conducting the sale shall sell the goods or effects 
so distrained at public auction to the highest bidder for cash. 
Within five (5) days after the sale, the [local] PROVINCIAL 
OR BARANGAY treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL 
BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE 
CASE MAY BE, shall make a report of the proceedings in 
writing to the local chief executive concerned.
Should the property distrained be not disposed of within 
one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of distraint, 
the same shall be considered as sold to the local government 
unit concerned for the amount of the assessment made


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thereon by the Committee on Appraisal and to the extent of
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the same amount, the tax delinquencies shall be cancelled.
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Said Committee on Appraisal shall be composed of the city
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or municipal [treasurer] BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER as chairman, with a representative of
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the Commission on Audit and the city or municipal assessor as
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members.
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(f) XXX XXX
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Sec. 8. Section 176, Book II, Title One, Chapter 4 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 176. Levy on Rea! Property. — After the expiration of
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the time required to pay the delinquent tax, fee, or charge, real property
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may be levied on before, simultaneously, or after the distraint of
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personal property belonging to the delinquent taxpayer. To this end,
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the provincial[, city or municipal] treasurer OR THE CITY OR
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MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, as
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the case may be, shall prepare a duly authenticated certificate showing
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the name of the taxpayer and the amount of the tax, fee, or charge,
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and penalty due from him. Said certificate shall operate with the force
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of a legal execution throughout the Philippines. Levy shall be effected
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by writing upon said certificate the description of the property upon
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which levy is made. At the same time, written notice of the levy shall
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be mailed to or served upon the assessor and the Register of Deeds of
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the province or city where the property is located who shall annotate


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the levy on the tax declaration and certificate of title of the property,
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respectively, and the delinquent taxpayer or, if he be absent from the
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Philippines, to his agent or the manager of the business in respect to
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which the liability arose, or if there be none, to the occupant of the
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property in question.
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In case the levy on real property is not issued before or
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simultaneously with the warrant of distraint on personal property, and
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the personal property of the taxpayer is not sufficient to satisfy his
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delinquency, the provincial[, city or municipal] treasurer OR THE CITY
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OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER,
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as the case may be, shall within thirty (30) days after execution of the
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distraint, proceed with the levy on the taxpayer's real property.
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A report on any levy shall, within ten (10) days after receipt of
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the warrant, be submitted by the levying officer to the sanggunian
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concerned.
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Sec. 9. Section 177, Book II, Title One, Chapter 4 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 177. Penalty for Failure to Issue and Execute Warrant
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— Without prejudice to criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal
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Code and other applicable laws, any [local] PROVINCIAL OR
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BARANGAY treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT
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AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, who fails to issue
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or execute the warrant of distraint or levy after the expiration of the time
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prescribed, or who is found guilty of abusing the exercise thereof by


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competent authority shall be automatically dismissed from the service
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after due notice and hearing.
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Sec. 10. Section 178, Book II, Title One, Chapter 4 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 178. Advertisement and Sale. — Within thirty (30) days
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after the levy, the [local] PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY treasurer OR
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CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING
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OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, shall proceed to publicly advertise
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for sale or auction the property or a usable portion thereof as may be
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necessary to satisfy the claim and cost of sale; and such advertisement
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shall cover a period of at least thirty (30) days. It shall be effected by
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posting a notice at the main entrance of the municipal building or city
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hall, and in a public and conspicuous place in the barangay where the
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real property is located, and by publication once a week for three (3)
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weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province, city or
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municipality where the property is located. The advertisement shall
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contain the amount of taxes, fees or charges, and penalties due thereon,
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and the time and place of sale, the name of the taxpayer against whom
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the taxes, fees, or charges are levied, and a short description of the
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property to be sold. At any time before the date fixed for the sale, the
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taxpayer may stay the proceedings by paying the taxes, fees, charges,
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penalties and interests. If he fails to do so, the sale shall proceed and
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shall be held either at the main entrance of the provincial, city or
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municipal building, or on the property to be sold, or at any other place


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as determined by the [local] PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY treasurer 
OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING 
OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, conducting the sale and specified in 
the notice of sale.
Within thirty (30) days after the sale, the [local] PROVINCIAL 
treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND 
LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, or his deputy shall 
make a report of the sale to the sanggunian concerned, and which shall 
form part of his records. After consultation with the sanggunian, the 
[local] PROVINCIAL treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS 
PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, shall 
make and deliver to the purchaser a certificate of sale, showing the 
proceedings of the sale, describing the property sold, stating the name 
of the purchaser and setting out the exact amount of all taxes, fees, 
charges, and related surcharges, interests, or penalties: Provided, 
however. That any excess in the proceeds of the sale over the claim and 
cost of sales shall be turned over to the owner of the property.
The [local] PROVINCIAL treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL 
BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY 
BE, may, by ordinance duly approved, advance an amount sufficient to 
defray the costs of collection by means of the remedies provided for in 
this Title, including the preservation or transportation in case of personal 
property, and the advertisement and subsequent sale, in cases of 
personal and real property including improvements thereon.
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Sec. 11. Section 179, Book II, Title One, Chapter 4 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 179. Redemption of Property Sold. — Within one (1)
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year from the date of sale, the delinquent taxpayer or his representative
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shall have the right to redeem the property upon payment to the [local]
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PROVINCIAL treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS
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PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, of the
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total amount of taxes, fees, or charges, and related surcharges, interests
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or penalties from the date of delinquency to the date of sale, plus
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interest of not more than two percent (2%) per month on the purchase
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price from the date of purchase to the date of redemption. Such
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payment shall invalidate the certificate of sale issued to the purchaser
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and the owner shall be entitled to a certificate of redemption from the
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provincial, city or municipal [treasurer] BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER or his deputy.
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The provincial[, city or municipal] treasurer OR BUSINESS
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PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER or his deputy, upon surrender
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by the purchaser of the certificate of sale previously issued to him, shall
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forthwith return to the latter the entire purchase price paid by him plus
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the interest of not more than two percent (2%) per month herein
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provided for, the portion of the cost of sale and other legitimate
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expenses incurred by him, and said property thereafter shall be free
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from the lien of such taxes, fees, or charges, related surcharges,
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interests, and penalties.
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The owner shall not, however, be deprived of the possession of
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said property and shall be entitled to the rentals and other income
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thereof until the expiration of the time allowed for its redemption.
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Sec. 12. Section 180, Book II, Title One, Chapter 4 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 180. Final Deed to Purchaser. — In case the taxpayer
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fails to redeem the property as provided herein, the [local] PROVINCIAL
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treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, shall execute a deed
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conveying to the purchaser so much of the property as has been sold,
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free from liens of any taxes, fees, charges, related surcharges, interests,
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and penalties. The deed shall succinctly recite all the proceedings upon
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which the validity of the sale depends.
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Sec. 13. Section 181, Book II, Title One, Chapter 4 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 181. Purchase of Property By the Local Government Units
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for Want of Bidder. — In case there is no bidder for the real property
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advertised for sale as provided herein, or if the highest bid is for an
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amount insufficient to pay the taxes, fees, or charges, related surcharges,
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interests, penalties and costs, the [local] PROVINCIAL treasurer OR
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CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING
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OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, conducting the sale shall purchase
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the property in behalf of the local government unit concerned to satisfy
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the claim and within two (2) days thereafter shall make a report of his
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proceedings which shall be reflected upon the records of his office. It shall 
be the duty of the Registrar of Deeds concerned upon registration with 
his office of any such declaration of forfeiture to transfer the title of the 
forfeited property to the local government unit concerned without the 
necessity of an order from a competent court.
Within one (1) year from the date of such forfeiture, the taxpayer 
or any of his representative, may redeem the property by paying to the 
[local] PROVINCIAL treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS 
PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, the full 
amount of the taxes, fees, charges, and related surcharges, interests, or 
penalties, and the costs of sale. If the property is not redeemed as 
provided herein, the ownership thereof shall be fully vested on the local 
government unit concerned.
Sec. 14. Section 183, Book II, Title One, Chapter 4 of Republic Act No. 7160,
15 as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION 183. Collection of Delinquent Taxes, Fees, Charges or 
other Revenues through Judicial Action. — The local government unit 
concerned may enforce the collection of delinquent taxes, fees, charges 
or other revenues by civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction. 
The civil action shall be filed by the [local] PROVINCIAL OR 
BARANGAY treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS 
PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, within 
the period prescribed in Section 194 of this Code.
Sec. 15. Section 194, Book II, Title One, Chapter 6 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 194. Periods of Assessment and Collection. - (a) xxx
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xxx
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(b) xxx xxx
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(c) xxx xxx
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(d) The running of the periods of prescription provided in the
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preceding paragraphs shall be suspended for the time during which:
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(1) The treasurer OR BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER is legally prevented from making the
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assessment of collection;
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(2) The taxpayer requests for a reinvestigation and executes
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a waiver in writing before expiration of the period within which to
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assess or collect; and
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(3) The taxpayer is out of the country or otherwise cannot
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be located.
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Sec. 16. Section 195, Book II, Title One, Chapter 6 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 195. Protest of Assessment. — When the [local]
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PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL
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BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, , AS THE CASE
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MAY BE, or his duly authorized representative finds that correct taxes,
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fees, or charges have not been paid, he shall issue a notice of
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assessment stating the nature of the tax, fee, or charge, the amount of
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deficiency, the surcharges, interests and penalties. Within sixty (60) days
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from the receipt of the notice of assessment, the taxpayer may file a
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written protest with the [local] PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY
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treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER, AS 
THE CASE 
MAY BE contesting the
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assessment; otherwise, the 
assessment 
shall become final and
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executory. The [local] PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY treasurer OR
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CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING
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OFFICER,, AS THE CASE MAY BE shall decide the protest within sixty
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(60) days from the time of its filing. If the [local] PROVINCIAL OR
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BARANGAY treasurer 
OR CITY OR 
MUNICIPAL BUSINESS
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PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE finds
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the protest to be wholly or partly meritorious, he shall issue a notice
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cancelling wholly or partially the assessment. However, if the [local]
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PROVINCIAL OR BARANGAY treasurer OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL
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BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER, AS THE CASE
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MAY BE, finds the assessment to be wholly or partly correct, he shall
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deny the protest wholly or partly with notice to the taxpayer. The
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taxpayer shall have thirty (30) days from the receipt of the denial of the
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protest or from the lapse of the sixty (60)-day period prescribed herein
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within which to appeal with the court of competent jurisdiction otherwise
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the assessment becomes conclusive and unappealable.
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Sec. 17. Section 196, Book II, Title One, Chapter 6 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 196. Claim for Refund of Tax Credit — No case or
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proceeding shall be maintained in any court for the recovery of any tax, 
fee, or charge erroneously or illegally collected until a written claim for 
refund or credit has been filed with the [local] PROVINCIAL treasurer 
OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING 
OFFICER. No case or proceeding shall be entertained in any court after 
the expiration of two (2) years from the date of the payment of such tax, 
fee, or charge, or from the date the taxpayer is entitled to a refund or 
credit.
Sec. 18. Section 280, Book II, Title Two, Chapter 8 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
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SECTION 280. Fees in Court Actions. — All court actions,
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criminal or civil, instituted at the instance of the provincial, city or
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municipal [treasurer or ]assessor, OR PROVINCIAL TREASURER,
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OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING
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OFFICER under the provisions of this Code, shall be exempt from the
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payment of court and sheriffs fees.
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Sec. 19. Section 316, Book II, Title Five, Chapter 3 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows;
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SECTION 316. Local Finance Committee. — There is hereby
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created in every province, city or municipality a local finance
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committee to be composed of the local planning and development
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officer, the local budget officer, [and] the [local] treasurer IN THE
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CASE OF PROVINCES, AND BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER, IN THE CASE OF CITIES AND
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MUNICIPALITIES. It shall exercise the following functions:
"(b) XXX 
"(c) XXX 
"(d) XXX 
"(e) XXX 
"(f) XXX 
"(g) XXX
"(h) X X X."
Sec. 20. Section 443, Book II, Title Two, Chapter 2 of Republic Act No. 7160,
10 as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 443. Officials of the Municipal Government — (a) There 
shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a municipal vice­
mayor, sangguniang bayan members, a secretary to the sangguniang 
bayan, a municipal treasurer, a municipal assessor, a municipal 
accountant, a municipal budget officer, a municipal planning and 
development coordinator, a municipal engineer/building official, a 
municipal health officer, and a municipal civil registrar. A municipal 
Cooperatives Development Officer (CDO) AND A MUNICIPAL 
BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER shall also be 
appointed: Provided, That the municipality has the option to appoint 
a full fledged CDO or merge such position to an existing position or 
official in a related office, unit or department in the municipal 
government: Provided, further. That if the municipality shall appoint 
a full fledged CDO, the municipality has the option to set the rank.
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remuneration and other emoluments of the municipal CDO subject to 
existing laws, rules and regulations.
"(b) XXX 
"(C) XXX 
"(d) XXX 
"(e) X X X."
Sec. 21. Section 454, Book II, Title Two, Chapter 2 of Republic Act No. 7160,
8 as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 454. Officials of the City Government — (a) There shall 
be in each city a mayor, a vice-mayor, sangguniang panlungsod 
members, a secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, a city 
treasurer, a city assessor, a city accountant, a city budget officer, a 
city planning and development coordinator, a city engineer, a city 
health officer, a city civil registrar, a city administrator, a city legal 
officer, a city veterinarian, a city social welfare and development 
officer, and a city general services officer. A city CDO AND CITY 
BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER shall also be 
appointed: Provided, That the city has the option to appoint a full 
fledged CDO or merge such position to an existing position or official 
in a related office, unit or department in the city government: 
Provided, further. That if the city shall appoint a full fledged CDO, the 
city has the option to set the rank, remuneration and other 
emoluments of the city CDO subject to existing laws, rules and 
regulations;
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"(b) XXX
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"(C) XXX
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"(d) XXX
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"(e) X X X."
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Sec. 22. New section to be denominated as Section 490-A, Article XXI is
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hereby inserted between Title V and Title VI, after Section 490, Article XX, of
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Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, to read as follows:
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ARTICLE XXI
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THE BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER
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"SEC. 490-A. QUALIFICATIONS, POWERS, AND
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DUTIES. - (A) A BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING
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OFFICER SHOULD BE A CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES, A
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RESIDENT OF THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY, AS THE CASE
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MAY BE, OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, A HOLDER OF A
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COLLEGE DEGREE, PREFERABLY IN BUSINESS
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ADMINISTRATION OR OTHER RELATED DEGREE OBTAINED
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FROM A RECOGNIZED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, A FIRST
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GRADE CIVIL SERVICE ELIGIBLE OR ITS EQUIVALENT, MUST
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HAVE ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS
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IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE
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DATE OF APPOINTMENT, AND SHALL BE QUALIFIED BY THE
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PERSONNEL SELECTION AND PROMOTIONS BOARD.
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THE APPOINTMENT OF A BUSINESS PERMIT AND
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LICENSING OFFICER SHALL BE MANDATORY FOR ALL CITIES
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AND MUNICIPALITIES.
THE BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER 
SHALL BE THE HEAD OF THE BUSINESS PERMIT AND 
LICENSING OFFICE, WITH THE RANK AND SALARY OF A 
DEPARTMENT HEAD, AND SHALL ENSURE THAT THE 
BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICE FULFILL ITS 
MANDATE AS PROVIDED UNDER THE LAW."
Sec. 23. Staffing Pattern. - For purposes of the creation of the Business 
Permits and Licensing Office, officers and employees of local government units 
concerned holding permanent positions shall be given preference in the selection 
and appointment to the positions herein created with those who are eligible and 
qualified for the position, given priority by the Personnel Selection and Promotion 
Board.
No new employees shall be hired until all current qualified employees have
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been considered and duly appointed. Temporary and casual employees who
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possess the necessary qualifications and appropriate civil service eligibility for
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permanent positions shall likewise be given preference in the selection and
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appointment to positions vacated by those who have been appointed to the newly-
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created positions.
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Sec. 24. Appropriation. - The appropriations for the permanent positions and
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respective office herein created shall be included in the annual budget of the local
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government unit concerned of the year following the approval of this Act, and
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thereafter.
Sec. 25. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby
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repealed or amended accordingly.
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Sec. 26. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one (1) newspaper of general
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circulation: Provided, That the online posting in the website of Official Gazette shall
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be considered as sufficient publication under this section.
Approved,
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