PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY — The city government of Baguio has shut down 544 businesses since January for operating without a permit.

Records from the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office showed that most of the illegal companies were discovered during routine inspections and complaints from the public.

The office said it issued 20,375 business permits in the first four months of the year and continues to receive applications. It expects to exceed last year’s count of 24,426 permits. 

Of the 20,375 businesses with permits, 19,522 were renewals, while 853 were new registrants.

Most of the registered businesses in the city are in wholesale and retail trade, followed by accommodation and food services. Most of them or 17,825 are microenterprises. — Artemio A. Dumlao