ZAMBOANGA CITY — The local government has so far recorded an increase of P15.97 million in its collection in the renewal of business permits this year compared with the same period of last year.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said this came about as the number of applications for renewal of business permits reached 10,394 as compared to 9,702 applications recorded during the same period of 2011.

Lobregat said the City Treasurer’s Office collected a total of P101.384 million as of February 2, a marked increase from the collections during the same period last year which reached only P85.406 million.

The business permits renewal covered all forms of business ranging from sari-sari stores to gas stations, banks, hotels and other investments, Lobregat said.

“Zamboanga City is a service-oriented economy so you have different types of businesses operating in this city,” he said, noting that a big number of the businesses come from the fishing industry.

He said the increase is an indication of the people’s confidence to invest in Zamboanga City. (PNA)

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