Davao City has recorded a consistent rise in business permit applications and renewals from 2022 to 2024, reflecting the city’s sustained economic growth. The Business Bureau’s data highlights an upward trend in both the number of applications and revenue collection over the three-year period.
A business permit is a crucial requirement for enterprises operating within the city. In 2022, the Business Bureau recorded 49,935 permit applications, with 44,935 successfully issued. The total revenue collected from these permits amounted to P1,558,491,449.99.
The following year, 2023, saw an increase in applications, reaching 50,792. A total of 46,202 permits were granted, resulting in a higher revenue collection of P1,856,681,319.56. The upward trend continued in 2024, with applications reaching 52,219. Notably, new business applications in 2024 surged to 6,496—significantly higher compared to just 168 in 2022 and 210 in 2023.
Maribel Paguican, Head of the Business Bureau, emphasized that the steady rise in business permit applications and renewals indicates the city’s robust economic landscape. This growth not only reflects investor confidence but also fosters job creation and healthy market competition, further strengthening Davao’s economy.
The Business Bureau facilitates business permit applications and renewals year-round. Business owners can process their permits online via the Online Business Permit Licensing System (https://appbts.davaocity.gov.ph/) or visit the bureau’s office at the ground floor of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Building for manual transactions. To accommodate those unfamiliar with digital processes, manual processing remains an option.
Business owners are advised to comply with renewal deadlines to avoid penalties. Late registrations incur a 25 percent penalty along with a two percent monthly interest charge. Paguican also encouraged business owners to stay updated on amended ordinances to ensure smooth transactions and avoid unnecessary fines.
With the city’s business sector showing remarkable resilience and expansion, Davao continues to establish itself as a thriving economic hub in the region.