As for my first post, I would like to re-post something from my other blog. Philippine business is somewhat simple but complicated. The processes are well defined. Standards have been set. These should have made things a lot simpler. What then makes it complicated? Well, sad but true, some people running the offices may not be as reliable as we expected. Yeah you got it right--corruption, red tapes, etc. I really don't know how it started to plague this country. Although many people say its because of poverty. Well I don't agree. I have seen far too many people running the office and they are not poor. They have regular and above minimum wages. How come they still do what they are not supposed to do? To my opinion, I think it's because of the lifestyle they chose. They engage in responsibilities but are not even prepared for it. Some are just indolent (Yes indolent! I didn't want to agree with our previous colonizer but it is starting to be evident!). Sad to say, these people are often the first ones to go to the streets and complain of how their lives are miserable. Well back to our topic, if you want to engage in business here in the Philippines, we do have standard procedures. Please, don't encourage people to take shortcuts and read the following (the fees are as of 2007 and are subject to change):

SINGLE PROPRIETORSHIP

Applicant must secure 2 copies of registration form and pay Php 300.00 (rate may change) for single proprietorship registration processing fee. The registration shall be valid for five (5) years. A surcharge of Php 100.00 is imposed if renewal is filed beyond the three (3) month grace period, counted from the date of expiration of certificate previously issued.

The duly accomplished application form must be filed with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office, where the business is located, or the DTI-NCR Office or its satellite offices in case of Metro Manila based businesses.

Requirements:

1. The applicant must be of legal age(18 years or over)
2. Two (2) passport size pictures taken not more than one (1) year upon filing of application
3. If an alien, the applicant must submit the following:
1. Php 5,000.00 payment for Registration fee
2. Php 500.00 payment for filing fee
3. Alien Certificate of Registration (if any)
4. Accomplished DTI Form No. 16A for single proprietorship or 16B for juridical person. & No. 17 under R.A. No. 7042;
5. A written appointment of Filipino Resident Agent;
6. Authority to verify Bank Accounts
7. Proof of inward remittance of foreign currency (with peso conversion) for non-resident alien and Bank Certificate of Deposit for Resident Alien
8. Copy of valuation report from Central Bank if investment includes assets other than foreign exchange
9. Clearance from other involved agencies as Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, etc.
10. In case of alien retailer, latest permit to engage in retail business per R.A. 1180 without the need to submit the requirements under number 3, except Alien Certificate of Registration
    
4. If the applicant has acquired Filipino citizenship by naturalization, election or by any other means provided by law, he must submit proof of Filipino Citizenship
5. Filipinos whose name are suggestive of alien nationality must submit proof of Filipino Citizenship (e.g. Birth Certificate, Voter's I.D., PRC, I.D.)(
   

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CORPORATION/PARTNERSHIP

A juridical person already registered with the concerned government agency (i.e. Securities and Exchange Commission - SEC or Cooperative Development Authority - CDA, etc), and using only such registered name may no longer register with DTI under the Business Name Law.

However, if the juridical person chooses to adopt business name in practice of its business other than its corporate/partnership name, the adopted Business Name shall be registered with DTI.

Requirements:

1. Applicant must secure two (2) copies of registration form and pay Php 500.00 for the registration processing fee.
2. Accomplished DTI Form No. 16B
3. If the Corporation or Partnership is fully owned by an alien or the capital of which is more than 40% owned by aliens, the SEC Certificate must specify that it is in accordance with the Foreign Investment Act of 1991
4. In case there is an increase of capital, submit certificate issued by the SEC

Corporation, partnership, cooperatives using only its registered corporate, partnership, or cooperative names may no longer register under the Business Name Law.

An applicant who maintains a business with branches must register the main business and every branch thereof.

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BUSINESS NAME RESERVATION

Businesses may reserve their business name online by accessing the Business Name Registration System (BNRS) site through http://www.business.gov.ph

1. Register your Business Name by completing the business applicant profile registration
2. When completing your application for registration online, there are certain items of information that are mandatory. If these items are left blank, you will receive an error message prompting you to complete them. Among these items are:
1. Tax Identification Number (TIN)
2. Email Address
3. Zip Code
3. In addition, if the business you are registering is a branch, a franchise or was acquired from a previous business, additional items such as exact business name of the franchise, main office and/or certificate number and date of registration of the acquired business are also required.
4. After you submit this application, a DTI business Name examiner will review it for completeness. Registration is not complete until a signed copy of the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) acknowledgment form is returned to DTI.
5. The completed application and correct fee can be paid at the DTI office indicated in your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) acknowledgment form.

Source: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Philippines

email: btrcp@dti.dti.gov.ph