Author: Mark Virgil Lofranco

A Strategic Location & Incentive Comparison for IT-BPM Investors in Cebu, Philippines Setting up an IT-BPM (Information Technology and Business Process Management) firm, software house, or shared services center in Cebu is one of the smartest expansion moves a company can make in Southeast Asia. With a deep talent pool, world-class infrastructure, and vibrant tech…

Businesses investing or expanding in the Philippines may be able to reduce their tax burden through government investment incentives. Two of the primary Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) are the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Board of Investments (BOI). Qualified projects registered with these agencies may access fiscal and non-fiscal incentives under the Philippines’…

Registering a business with the SEC or DTI is only the beginning of regulatory compliance in the Philippines. Every business also needs to address its obligations with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Proper BIR registration establishes the business within the Philippine tax system and determines important compliance responsibilities involving taxes, invoicing, accounting records, and…

Registering your company with the SEC or DTI does not automatically authorize you to operate from a particular location. Businesses in the Philippines must also comply with the requirements of the Local Government Unit (LGU) where their establishment is located. For businesses operating in Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, or Davao City, this normally…

Starting a business in the Philippines involves more than choosing a company name and opening your doors. If you plan to operate as a corporation, one of your first major compliance steps is registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For entrepreneurs establishing either a Domestic Corporation or a One Person Corporation (OPC), the…

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?…