At least eight resorts in Zamboanga City were found to be operating without business permits.

According to the Zamboanga City Licensing and Business Permits Division, eight out of 56 registered resorts were found to be operating without business permits as of July 24, 2024.

The Licensing and Business Permits Division said most of the resort owners said they have yet to secure a business permit because they have yet to obtain a location clearance for the property where the resorts are built.

“The reason why they could not secure the business permits is because of land conversion from agricultural to commercial which takes long time,” Permits and Licensing Division Chief, Benjie Barredo, said.

The division said private resorts that cater to the public for business purposes are not exempted from getting a business permit.

“Once you cater to the public, once you have it rented or whatever purpose na involved sa money, meron ng exchange of money to services that’s already a business, kailangan talaga regulated by government,” Barredo added.

These eight resorts were already issued with a notice to comply.

Under the City Revenue Ordinance, all business establishments must secure a business permit first before they operate or else their business will be closed.