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How to Register Your MSME Startup in the Philippines
Introduction
The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic was both an obstacle and an opportunity for many. The challenge at the time was to learn how to look for opportunities and have a positive mindset - one that leads to open-mindedness and progress. This mindset can generate a new business idea.
For those who took advantage of the opportunity, they only had to attend webinars given by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and then when ready, to register their MSME startup.
Given below is an outline for the steps needed to register an MSME startup in Pasig City.
Registration in Pasig City
Important update for : Pasig business registration or renewal is now at the Mega Business One-Stop Shop at Silver 4 Ortigas East, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City, Metro Manila, 1604, PH. Disregard the information in the Mayor's Permit section which referred to Ayala Mall the 30th as the site for Business One-Stop Shop. The Facebook Page of Pasig City Public Information Office gives a Commuter's Guide to the site at Silver 4, Ortigas East, Barangay Ugong. You can check and update all information there even without a Facebook account. There are also other locations for specific business registrations/renewals posted at FB PasigPIO page.
Some of the information in this post are from the years to ; updating has been done in . Other updates can be searched at AI Overviews in Google Search. The results will obtain real-time data and information from the Pasig Business Permit and Licensing Division.
Steps to Register
MSME Registration Steps - Pasig City
The 10 key requirements for establishing your business.
Initial Things to Consider: Business Entity
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has complete information on its website. They also give free webinars online or face-to-face seminars that help decide what industry and business entity to establish. They also give higher-quality webinars at an affordable fee, for any special needs in establishing your business in the Philippines.
Establishing a Business Name for an MSME Startup
Choose a business name that is easy to remember. Go to the business name registration web page of the DTI, and pick a specific name accepted by the DTI. Think of your business as a distinct entity from other business entities. The DTI website helps in finding a name for your business.
Certificate of Authority
An easy business entity is the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE). This business has many incentives, such as exemption from the minimum wage law, credit privileges, and exemptions from annual income tax. To know more about the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise, you can visit its web page at BMBE Registration, Anytime, Anywhere! There are many videos published by the DTI on YouTube to for understanding the BMBE. Once registered, you receive a Certificate of Authority granting the privilege to operate as a BMBE entity (a category of the Micro Enterprise in MSME) and the option to renew after a period of two years.
There are other business entities possible:
- one-person corporation (OPC)
- partnership
- corporation
Sole proprietorships are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry. One-person corporations, partnerships, and corporate entities are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Barangay Clearance
A clearance is also required from your Barangay office before proceeding to get a Mayor's Permit.
Mayor's Permit at Business One Stop Shop
Since , to establish a business in Pasig City, this was what was required:
- register at the Business One Stop Shop service in Ayala Mall the 30th Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, 1605, PH
- most of the steps to establish a business in Pasig City are sped up through this service
- bring the requirements listed below for the business permit (Mayor's Permit)
- Barangay Clearance,
- Business Name Certificate,
- DTI Certificate of Authority,
- photo of business establishment
- photo of a map showing the location of the business
- payment for the business permit
Unlike the year , beginning , business registrations (and business renewals) are all serviced in the Business One Stop Shop. The national government required all LGUs to speed up the process by upgrading the system of registration. Each year becomes easier because of the Law on the Ease of Doing Business. Important update: Disregard the information as regards Ayala Mall the 30th as the site for business registration and renewal. The new site for is at Silver 4, Ortigas East, Barangay Ugong. The Facebook Page of Pasig City Public Information Office gives a Commuter's Guide to the site at Silver 4.
Other Certificates required for Mayor's Permit (Business Permit)
City Planning and Development Office (Zoning)
This certifies where your business is located within the city of Pasig.
Environmental Permit to Operate (CENRO)
This certificate is given upon payment of the fees for the Mayor's Permit. The fee will contribute to the Pasig Green City Program and other environmental projects.
Sanitary Permit and Health Certificate
This is required if your business involves the manufacturing and handling of food and drinking water.
Fire Safety and Inspection Certificate
This is a basic requirement. Upon registration for the Mayor's Permit, an Inspector from the Pasig Branch of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will schedule a visit to your business location. He may also require you to have fire extinguishers for your business. If you already have one or two at hand, all that is needed is to refill the extinguishers with new contents. Once the Inspector takes camera shots of your business premises and it gets approved, you can obtain your Fire Safety Inspection Certificate at the Pasig Branch of the BFP.
Final Step: Payment
After securing all of the required certificates, the next step is payment. There are three modes of payment: quarterly, semi-annual, and annual. Select whatever is affordable for your business. Once payment has been made, you will receive your Mayor's Permit Certificate and a Business Plate Number from the Business Permit and License Office Division.
2025 photo of skyline with Unimart Capitol Commons Capitol Commons, Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City, Metro Manila, 1605, PH (in the foreground) The BIR RDO of Pasig is in the 5th floor of Estancia Mall, East Wing, Capitol Commons
Registering Your Business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue
Things to Consider
The important documents to consider when applying for BIR Registration:
- your TIN
- DTI Certificate
- and Mayor's Permit Certificate
Certificate of Registration
A lot of service is given when you register at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The security guards and the employees at the reception desk are ready to help for any form you need. Some even give initial guidance for the registration process. All that is needed is to properly fill up forms and pay the required fees. Once the right forms are filled up and the required fees are paid, a Certificate of Registration will be issued after a waiting period of several days to a week. All the necessary tax information you need to know, and the schedules to pay for your business taxes, are printed in that BIR Certificate of Registration.
Back to topAuthority to Print
With your Certificate of Registration secured, next step is to apply for the Authority to Print. This is the authority to have your invoices printed by an authorized printer. Prior to the year , there was an expiry of five years for all business receipts and invoices. Now there is none.
Back to topBooks of Account
This step is a decision the BMBE (MSME) owner needs to make. You can begin with manual books of accounts. Or you can use a digital system for accounting.
Whatever business entity was registered (sole proprietor, one-person corporation, partnership, or corporation), an organized accounting system is important. You can contract an accountant or have one of your hired employees study it through free or paid webinars given by Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) in partnership with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. PICPA has offered an "Accounting for Non-Accountants" (AFNA) program in the past, which is free and covers topics from business transactions to taxation.
For manual book of accounts, a journal, a ledger, and two columnar books for cash receipts journal and cash disbursement journal are required. There are other manual books of accounts needed if your business entity is VAT-registered. Whether VAT or non-VAT, the manual books of accounts have to be stamped by the B.I.R. officer in charge of the books at the B.I.R. branch of Pasig City in Estancia Mall, 5/F.
The Department of Labor & Employment
If you need to hire workers, you can ask advice from your local branch of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). If your chosen business entity is BMBE, you are not obligated to follow the minimum wage. This and other privileges are part of the BMBE entity.
Tips from Rosauro's Legacy Archive
All government agencies mentioned above are on Facebook, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn. You can easily update on any news relevant to your business entity.
Be aware of schedules and your business entity's tax obligations. Failure to pay on time incurs a penalty. Tax compliance is a must in all types of Enterprises - Micro, Small, Medium, or Large.
Summary
Registering an MSME startup in the Philippines, especially in Pasig City, is simplified through updated government systems
- like the Business One Stop Shop.
- Key steps include obtaining a DTI business name,
- Barangay Clearance,
- and Mayor's Permit,
- followed by BIR registration.
Utilize DTI webinars for guidance on business types and stay updated on tax obligations through social media to streamline the process and reduce hassle.
