BORONGAN CITY (PIA) — In connection with the start of the business name renewal and registration conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) this January 2025, DTI-Eastern Samar Consumer Welfare Division Chief Ligaya Catuday announced that the process is now fully online through the BNRS portal accessible through BNRS.gov.dti.ph.
Catuday said the online mechanism will speed up the process and avoid consumers queuing and commuting to the DTI provincial offices and business centers in each town.
Despite this digitalization process, DTI Eastern Samar will still receive walk-in clients.
Catuday added that DTI has introduced a hybrid system to accommodate individuals who cannot access online banking applications, such as GCash, or lack the necessary equipment or internet connectivity for online business name registration and renewal.
Under this system, applicants can complete the online registration process and opt to pay in person at DTI provincial offices or Negosyo Centers located in municipalities. For those without access to devices like laptops or smartphones, or who are unfamiliar with the digital processes, personal assistance is available at these centers.
Additionally, the DTI is prioritizing support for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, ensuring they receive proper assistance from DTI staff for smooth processing of their business registration applications.
Flor Arje Quintua, an agri products and sari-sari store owner in San Julian, said the digitalization will ease the burden of business owners particularly in processing their yearly renewables.
“Labot nga 5 years na. Diri na kukurian it business owners pag-renew, kay usa liwat nga reason nga danay nali-late iton mga renewables upod na it DTI dara nga diri mabayaan an tindahan,” Quintua said.
(Aside from its validity now being 5 years, the business owners will no longer struggle with renewal, as one of the reasons why our renewables are often delayed, including with the DTI, is because business owners can’t leave their stores unattended.)
Catuday clarified that the portal is limited to business name registration and permit renewal, where those who would like to cancel their business name and upgrade their territorial scope, or the geographical area covered by a business, for example from of the barangay territorial scope to the city or municipality, must still process application personally at the DTI.
Catuday added that the same amount of registration fee is required for business owners depending on the territorial scope of their business, as follows: Barangay – P200 and P30 documentary stamp tax (DST); City/Municipality – P500 and P30 DST; Regional – P1,000 and P30 DST; and National – P2,000 and P30 DST. (VTG/SEJ/PIA Eastern Samar)
