How to register a business in Naga City and across Bicol.
Starting a business in Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon or anywhere in Bicol? Here are the steps to register with the DTI or SEC, your barangay and city hall, and the BIR, and how Musnest can handle the process with you.
The steps to register a business in Bicol
The general process is the same across the Philippines. What changes from place to place is the local government step, which is handled by the barangay and city or municipal hall where your business is located.
Choose your business structure
Decide whether the business will be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a corporation or one person corporation (OPC), or a cooperative. This affects your liability, how ownership is recorded, and how the business is taxed.
Register your business name or entity
Sole proprietors register a business name with the DTI. Partnerships, corporations and OPCs register with the SEC. Cooperatives register with the CDA. See our SEC registration support →
Get your barangay clearance
Secure a barangay business clearance from the barangay where your business is located.
Apply for your mayor’s or business permit
File with the city or municipal hall where you operate. In Naga City, that’s the Naga City Hall; in Legazpi, Sorsogon City, Iriga or elsewhere, it’s your own LGU. Expect to submit your DTI/SEC/CDA registration, barangay clearance, proof of address, and other clearances the LGU requires, such as fire safety and sanitary requirements.
Register with the BIR
Register with the Revenue District Office covering your business address, using the BIR’s online system (ORUS) or at the RDO. You’ll receive your Certificate of Registration (Form 2303), register your books of accounts, and secure an Authority to Print for your invoices if you’ll use printed invoices. See our BIR registration support →
Register as an employer, if you’ll hire
If you’ll have employees, register the business with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.
Set up your compliance routine
Registration is only the start. Your business will have recurring tax returns, bookkeeping, and an annual permit renewal, usually in January. See our tax and accounting support →
How Musnest helps
Registering a business means dealing with several offices, each with its own forms and requirements. We help you get it done in the right order and avoid the back-and-forth.
- Help choosing the right business structure
- Preparation of DTI, SEC and BIR registration information and documents
- Guidance on barangay and mayor’s permit requirements for your LGU
- BIR registration, books of accounts and Authority to Print
- A compliance calendar for your returns and renewals after registration
- Branding support so the business starts with a clear identity
Ready to start?
Complete our questionnaires so we can review your situation before we talk.
Frequently asked questions
Should I register with DTI or SEC?
A sole proprietorship registers its business name with the DTI. Partnerships, corporations and one person corporations register with the SEC, while cooperatives register with the CDA. The right choice depends on ownership, liability, plans to grow, and how the business will be taxed. We can help you compare the options before you file.
Where do I get a business permit in Naga City?
Business permits, also called mayor's permits, are issued by the city or municipal hall where the business is located. In Naga City, that is the Naga City Hall. You will usually need your DTI, SEC or CDA registration, a barangay clearance, proof of your business address such as a lease contract, and other clearances the LGU requires. Requirements differ between LGUs, so confirm the current list with the office that covers your address.
Which BIR office do I register with?
You register with the BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) that has jurisdiction over your business address. Many registrations can now be started online through the BIR's Online Registration and Update System (ORUS).
What do I need from the BIR before I can start selling?
Generally, your Certificate of Registration (Form 2303), registered books of accounts, and registered invoices, which require an Authority to Print if they are printed. You also need to understand which tax returns you must file and when.
Can you handle the registration for me if I'm outside Naga City?
Yes. We work with businesses across Bicol. We can prepare and organize your documents and guide each step remotely. Some steps, such as appearances at your LGU or RDO, may still need to be done by you or an authorized representative in person.
I already operate but never registered. What should I do?
Talk to us first. We'll review your situation and help you register properly and set up compliance going forward, so the business can operate openly and grow.
Talk to us about your business
Visit our Naga City office, send a message on Facebook, or email us. We’ll look at where your business is today and tell you the next practical step.