Iloilo City, Jan. 6 -- The local government here is expecting a 75 percent to 80 percent renewal rate of business permits this year from the 19,705 establishments that legally operate here as of 2025.

In an interview on Tuesday, Iloilo City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office head Velma Jane Lao said they registered 2,018 new businesses last year, renewed 16,650, while 1,037 paid but with deficiency.

Lao said the Electronic Business One Stop Shop, including all offsite centers at the Festive Walk, Marry Mart Mall, SM City, Atrium, Iloilo City Business Center and at the City Hall are functioning.

"All sites are working. They can also go online," she said.

One significant improvement this year, she said, is the in...