About 90 percent of the business establishments have renewed its permits during the renewal period until Jan. 20, data from the Business Bureau revealed.

Business Bureau chief Tristan Dwight P. Domingo said yesterday in the weekly I-Speak forum at the presidential room of the city hall that 28,351 out of 31,728 business establishments have applied for renewal for their business and mayor’s permit.

“Almost all of the business establishments were able to meet the deadline,” he said.

The bureau also surpassed the target to cater 27,000 business establishments.

Doming added 690 business establishments were new applicants.

He said those who failed to renew will be penalized with 25% percent surcharge on top of their tax dues and fees from various agencies like Bureau of Fire Protection, City Environment and Natural Resources Office and City Health Office.

An additional of two percent surcharge will be given if ever the business establishments failed to pay the respective payments. The new applicants, meanwhile, should secure first a business permit before operations.

As of Jan. 11, the City Treasurer’s Office collected P34 million from the business permits. The office is currently consolidating the total amount generated during the renewal period as some of the establishments are still paying its dues.