Author: Mark Virgil Lofranco

Under Philippine labor law, the moment a corporation hires its first employee, it must register as an employer with the three statutory social benefit agencies. Integrated Registration via Philippine Business Hub When registering your company via SEC eSPARC, the system interfaces with the Philippine Business Hub (PBH). This automatically issues pre-reserved employer registration numbers for:…

Securing your SEC Certificate and Mayor’s Permit is only half the battle. To issue legal sales invoices and pay corporate taxes, you must register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) within 30 days of SEC registration to avoid strict late penalties. Finding Your Revenue District Office (RDO) in Cebu Your corporate BIR registration depends…

Once your SEC Certificate of Incorporation is issued, your corporation cannot legally open its physical doors in Metropolitan Cebu without a Mayor’s Permit (LGU Business Permit). Key Pre-requisite: Barangay Clearance Before heading to the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), you must visit the specific Barangay hall where your office or commercial space is located…

Setting up a business in Cebu starts at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Thanks to the eSPARC (Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company) system and eSECURE, the traditional paperwork bottleneck is a thing of the past. What is SEC eSPARC? eSPARC is the SEC’s online portal that processes applications for One…

For foreign and domestic export-oriented enterprises expanding into economic hubs like Cebu and Davao, registering with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) remains a primary route for maximizing tax efficiency. PEZA grants fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to businesses located within designated Special Economic Zones, IT Parks, and IT Buildings. Who Qualifies for PEZA Locator Status?…

After obtaining your Mayor’s Permit, you must register your business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) under the Revenue District Office (RDO) that has jurisdiction over your business address. BIR Registration (Form 2303) Register online via the BIR ORUS (Online Registration and Update System) or directly at your assigned RDO. Submit the SEC Registration,…

Once your SEC Certificate of Incorporation is issued, your business cannot legally operate until it secures a Mayor’s Permit (Business Permit) from the local government unit (LGU) where your physical office or facility is located. Step-by-Step LGU Permit Workflow Barangay Clearance: Secure clearance from the specific barangay where your office or commercial space sits. Occupancy…

Setting up a corporate entity in the Philippines requires registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through the eSPARC (Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company) platform. While the initial portal is the same, the structural path varies significantly depending on whether your company is Domestic (Filipino-owned) or Foreign-Owned. Ownership and Equity…

Guide for foreign investors and BPOs registering an SEC company in Metro Cebu, including PEZA incentives and Mactan Economic Zone requirements. Metro Cebu is a premier hub for foreign direct investment, IT-BPM operations, and export manufacturing—particularly within Cebu IT Park, Cebu Business Park, and the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ). Key SEC & Regulatory Requirements for…

Received your SEC Certificate of Incorporation in Cebu? Complete these 5 mandatory steps within 30 days to avoid heavy fines. Obtaining your SEC Certificate of Incorporation grants your company legal existence, but it does not permit commercial operations in Metro Cebu immediately. Plain Text SEC Certificate -> BIR Form 2303 (RDO 80-83) -> City Hall…