Business permit in General Santos: Filipizen renewal and sample fees

Sample fees the city publishes for a non-aircon eatery

Renewing online, any time of year

The city's renewal service sheet calls renewal fully automated all year round. You go to www.filipizen.com, choose General Santos City and follow the steps. The permit can be printed by you, delivered by courier, or printed at the BPLD.^[3]

For online renewal you need an active email address, an active mobile number, your Business Identification Number (BIN) and your actual gross sales or receipts for the previous year.^[3]

Filipizen is a third-party site, not a gensantos.gov.ph address. Open it from the link on the city's homepage, where the Business Tax Payment guide points to it.^[2]

1. Open FilipizenGo to filipizen.com and select General Santos City.
2. ApplySelect Renew Business Application, or New Business Application, and enter your details.
3. Wait for approvalWatch for the email saying your application is approved for payment.
4. View your billOpen Business Online Billing and Payment to see the billing statement.
5. PayPay online, or at the City Treasurer's Office with your billing statement and cedula tax order of payment.
6. Get your permitReceive the electronic business permit by email as a PDF and print it.

Paying online or at the City Treasurer

Online, Filipizen takes online banking, e-wallets and credit or debit cards. Over the counter, the City Treasurer's Office at the GSC Investment Action Center, windows 15 to 18, takes cash, manager's or cashier's checks and postal money orders. Bring the billing statement and the cedula tax order of payment.^[3]

The service sheet puts total processing at 6 hours and 45 minutes, and the electronic permit arrives by email.^[3]

The 2026 Citizen's Charter quotes the City Revenue Code: business tax is paid within the first 20 days of January each year. The Local Government Code lets the city council extend that period.^[4,5]

Starting a new business in GenSan

New applications also go through Filipizen. The 2026 charter asks for DTI, SEC or CDA registration and proof you can use the location: a TCT or tax declaration if you own it, or a lease, memorandum of agreement or the owner's written consent if not. You also need a fire safety paper: an FSIC for occupancy from the last nine months, or an FSIS for a new business, and the signed Unified Application Form.^[4]

If you rely on an existing FSIC, the charter asks for an affidavit of undertaking that the building has no substantial changes.^[4]

Example: a fish vendor renting a market stall should ask whether the market office's papers count as proof of right to the location. Each city treats stalls differently.

Reading the sample fees

The table above is the city's own worked example for a non-aircon eatery. The charter notes that electrical and plumbing fees are determined by the Office of the Building Official, and the barangay clearance amount depends on the barangay.^[3]

Use the list to see what kinds of fees to expect, not as your bill. Your business tax and fees depend on your line of business and gross sales, and are assessed by the city.

Questions people ask

Can I renew my General Santos business permit online?

Yes. The city says renewal is fully automated all year round on Filipizen. You select General Santos City, apply, pay, and receive the permit by email.

What do I need to renew online in GenSan?

An active email address, an active mobile number, your Business Identification Number and your actual gross sales or receipts for the previous year.

How much is a business permit in General Santos?

It depends on your business. The city's worked example for a non-aircon eatery lists a ₱200 mayor's permit fee, ₱200 sanitation fee, ₱150 garbage fee and ₱500 fire safety inspection fee, among others.

When is business tax due in General Santos?

The City Revenue Code, as quoted in the 2026 charter, sets payment within the first 20 days of January each year.

Which office issues business permits in General Santos?

The Business Permits and Licensing Division under the City Mayor's Office. The Citizen's Charter lists the EBOSS renewal service under it.