Dear DTI Consumer Power,
Last year, I finally decided to do business full-time. So I left the comforts of receiving a monthly paycheck and other monetary benefits, and exchanged them for what I loved most-baking.

I am now in the process of opening my own pastry shop and am hoping to operate very soon. I know for a fact that one of the requirements in putting up a business is to register its name. I’ve heard from the news about the Philippine Business Registry that promises to speed up the process of business registration, can you tell me more about this?
Gelo, Manila

Dear Gelo,
For any business to become a success, it has to be identified. Besides the nature of a business, its name will set it apart from the rest. For single proprietorships, they are required to apply for business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). While for partnerships, corporations and cooperatives, they are to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Here are some of the important things to know about business name registration:

1. What are the documentary requirements in Business Name registration?
• Filled-out application form with at least three proposed business names; and

• Original copy of identification card/document.

2. What identification cards are acceptable for Business Name registration?

Original copy of any of the following is acceptable for presentation to the DTI Field Office concerned:
• Passport;
• Valid Driver’s License;
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) identification card (ID);
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance;
• Police Clearance;
• Postal ID;
• Voter’s ID;
• Government System Insurance System (GSIS) Unified Multi-Purpose ID;
• Social Security System (SSS) ID;
• Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID;
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID;
• Seaman’s Book;
• Government office and government owned and controlled corporation-issued ID (e.g. Armed Forces of the Philippines, Home Development Mutual Fund [Pag-IBIG], and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. [PhilHealth]);
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID;
• Senior Citizen ID; and
• Person With Disability (PWD) ID.

3. How much does one pay for the Business Name registration?
The registration fee varies depending on the territorial scope of your business name.

The fees are as follows:
• P200 for barangay only registration;
• P500 for city/municipality only registration;
• P1,000 for regional only registration and
• P2,000 for national registration.

In addition, a P15 Documentary Stamp Tax is also assessed once the Business Name registration is approved and a certificate is issued.

4. What is territorial scope/applicability of a Business Name registration?
Territorial scope/applicability of Business Name Registration refers to an area within which the applicant’s right to use the registered Business Name shall be confined. It may be within a barangay, a city or municipality, a region, or nationwide in coverage.

5. How do I get my business name registered?
You can register a business name through the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) via URL address www.business.gov.ph. This is a web-based system that facilitates business registration-related transactions by integrating all agencies involved in business registration, such as the DTI, SEC, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, local government units and other permit/license-issuing agencies.

PBR applications for sole proprietorship may be done through DTI offices nationwide. The application process includes the following steps:
a. The applicant fills out the PBR application form and submits to DTI teller for encoding;

b. Applicant’s Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is required to proceed since PBR number (PBN) is based on the TIN. If there’s an existing TIN, PBR will validate against records. If there’s no TIN yet, PBR will generate for the client;

c. The applicant pays for the BN registration at the Cashier, and presents the receipt to the teller;

d. The teller submits application to SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-IBIG, then prints and hands over Business Name Certificate, copy of BN application form, and official receipt;

e. The teller provides the employer’s registration numbers (ERNs) from SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-IBIG through a filled out application form. An email notification indicating the ERNs issued by these agencies can also be retrieved by an applicant in his/ her email account; and

f. Applicant may proceed to the said agencies to get certificate or employer’s ID. Just present the PBR-generated ERNs.

6. How long is the validity of my Business Name registration?

The BN registration is valid for five years from the date of issuance, unless voluntarily revoked or cancelled prior its expiration.
7. When is the renewal period of a business name?
Renewal of registration should be made within six months immediately following its expiration date.

For further queries on Business Name Registration and Renewal, consumers may contact DTI Direct 751-3330.

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The Department of Trade and Industry welcomes all inquiries, complaints, comments and suggestions from consumers. Call DTI Direct at 751-3330 from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit the DTI website www.dti.gov.ph