THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Antique reminds business owners in the province to register their business names, as it is one of the requirements for availing a business permit to operate.
DTI Provincial Director Mary Jade Gonzales, during the “Pagpaathag” radio program of PIA Antique, explained that the business name registration is now fully online, so people can now register their business name from the comforts of their home.
Gonzales recognized that online registrations can be challenging for people with no stable internet connection or who are not familiar with using technology; thus, she encouraged those business owners to go to DTI’s office or the nearest official Negosyo Centers in their respective municipalities, as they will be assisted with their online application.
She cited that business name registration carries a lot of advantages since businesses will automatically have a legal identity once registered.
The designated name will be solely assigned to them to avoid confusion in transactions with other similar ventures and having a legal identity; expanding a business can be done with ease.
The fees for business name registration depend on territorial scope: P230 for barangay, P530 for municipal, P1,030 for regional, and P2,030 for national scope, as well as P80 for certification and P30 for cancellation.
Gonzales emphasized that clients do not need to hire or pay a fixer for assistance, as Business Counselors in their respective towns are readily available to help them.
They only need to visit the DTI/Negosyo Center offices nearest to them.
In 2025, the Province of Antique recorded a total of 4,518 registered business names. Of these, 57 percent were assisted by DTI Antique and Negosyo Centers. The registrations included 3,826 new businesses and 692 renewals.
As of January 20, 2026, DTI recorded a total of 404 registered business names, of which 309 were new registrations and 95 were renewals.
DTI also urged business owners to avail of the Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) in their respective towns, where all concerned agencies and local government offices are convened in one venue to process applications for the renewal of licenses and permits efficiently.
Some municipalities have extended the operation of BOSS until February and March this year, DTI added. (PIA)
