ILOILO City – Business activity in this city continues to expand, with permit issuances and tax collections posting steady gains despite persistent claims that higher Real Property Taxes (RPT) are driving enterprises to shut down.
Data from the Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD) show business permits have risen annually since 2021: 16,180 that year, 17,379 in 2022 (up 7.4%), 18,927 in 2023 (up 8.9%), and 19,599 in 2024 (up 3.6%).
For 2025, the city has already issued 17,857 permits as of July and is on track to surpass last year’s record.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said these figures directly contradict “misleading narratives” online and in some circles that the RPT adjustment has forced business closures.
“It is unfortunate that there are those who continue to spread false information that paints a negative image of our city,” she said. “The data speaks for itself, more businesses are opening, more permits are being issued, and our economy continues to move forward.”
BPLD records indicate 961 business closures in 2024, but Treñas stressed that most were due to routine operational issues, not tax hikes.
Reasons, she said, included low sales or income (128), bankruptcy or losses (288), high rental costs (8), change in ownership or business type (145), no available manager (118), personal health or family issues (72), and other factors such as contract expirations, relocations, or even fires.
“These closures are normal in any healthy economy,” the mayor explained. “Businesses close for many reasons — owners retire, change industries, or restructure. But at the same time, new businesses are opening and existing ones are expanding. That is the bigger story here.”
Business tax collections reinforce the growth trend, climbing from P638.7 million in 2022 to P754.5 million in 2023 (up 18.1%), and P875.1 million in 2024 (up 16%).
“When we collect more business taxes, it is not just a number — it is a direct signal that our business sector is active and growing,” Treñas said. “And those funds go back to the people through better infrastructure, social services, and programs that help both our communities and our entrepreneurs.”
She said the city continues to make it easier to do business by cutting red tape, improving transparency, and investing in infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and digital connectivity.
“Iloilo City is open for business, and the numbers prove it. We are not just keeping up, we are setting the pace for progress in the region,” Treñas said.
The mayor urged stakeholders to rely on verified information.
“Let us not be swayed by baseless claims. Iloilo City’s economic indicators are strong, our investors are confident, and our people are benefiting from the opportunities this growth creates,” she said. “We will continue to work hard so that every Ilonggo can feel the impact of our city’s success.”/PN
