DAVAO CITY, Jan. 10 -- The Davao City Business Bureau (CBB) noted on Tuesday a 16 percent increase in the first five days of the business renewal application here.

In a radio interview, CBB head Maribel Paguican said they have seen the notable result from Jan. 3-6, and Jan. 9, wherein 13,806 applications have been generated compared to last year's five-day operation with 11,912.

"That means we have an increase of 1,894 applications," she said, adding that 19 percent or 2,648 of the 13,806 business renewals have been paid.

Paguican called on business owners to use the online filing system, describing it as the safest way to renew their business permits in adherence to the no-contact policy of the law.

"This is also to prevent people fr...