The Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) of Iloilo City and the Boarding House Commission have issued a Notice of Violation against boarding houses operating without permit.

According to the Boarding House Commission, accommodation establishments in the city reached over 2,600 in November 2023.

Of the number, over 1,200 are found to be operating without business permit.

La Paz district posted the most number with 232; followed by the city proper and Jaro district with 215 each; 212 in Molo, 200 in Mandurriao, 97 in Lapuz, and 62 in Arevalo.

The notice was issued after an inspection following a fire on February 18, 2024 in Barangay San Nicolas, La Paz District in Iloilo City that killed two boarders.

“Ang Boarding House (Commission) mayroon silang sariling proseso. May mga notices silang ibinibigay na may number of days, yung sa atin naman, alinsunod sa ordinansa. Kung ikaw ay nag-o-operate ng business na walang permit, i-rerecommend kaagad sa mayor na ipasara ka without immediate notice,” Norman Tabud, head of the BPLO said.

BPLO said they start their inspection of boarding houses near schools.

“Priority natin ang malapit sa schools pero sasamahan pa rin namin ang Boarding House Commission hanggang sa areas na ma-identify nila na mayroong mga boarding house,” Tabud added.

One of the boarding houses served with a notice of violation is owned by one Julie Pulmones. The boarding house was damaged partially.  

Pulmones admitted of her failure to seek renewal of business permit. She secured a permit but only in 2022.

“Noong namatay ang asawa ko, nahirapan na ako. Nahirapan sa pagpapa-aral sa kabataan. Nahirapan sa pinansyal. Siyempre, mayroong mga dapat bayaran,” Pulmones said.