AGENCY FILING GUIDE

How we file with each agency

A realistic walkthrough of what each process actually involves β€” the forms, offices, and requirements. Details vary by business type and activity, so treat this as a roadmap, not a substitute for official guidance.

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SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Corporate registration
SEC Company Registration System (CRS)
Typical timeline: 3–10 business days
1
Reserve your company name β€” verify availability and reserve it through the SEC's online Company Registration System (CRS) before drafting your documents.
2
Prepare the incorporation package β€” Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Treasurer's-in-Trust Affidavit, and identification/proof of address for each incorporator or director.
3
Submit online and pay the fees β€” filing, registration, and legal research fees are computed based on your authorized capital stock.
4
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation β€” once approved, this is your legal basis to open a corporate bank account and proceed to BIR and local registration.
One Person Corporations (OPC) and partnerships follow a similar but slightly shorter document set than multi-incorporator corporations.
DTI
Department of Trade and Industry
Business name registration (sole proprietorships)
Business Name Registration System (BNRS)
Certificate valid 5 years
1
Search and reserve a business name β€” checked for conflicts through the Business Name Registration System.
2
Select your territorial scope β€” Barangay, City/Municipality, Regional, or National; this determines both your coverage and the filing fee.
3
Submit the application online β€” with a valid government ID and payment of the corresponding fee.
4
Download your DTI Certificate β€” valid for five years and required before applying for a Barangay Clearance and Business Permit.
This registration is for sole proprietorships only β€” corporations and partnerships register their name through the SEC instead.
BIR
Bureau of Internal Revenue
Tax registration & compliance
BIR Form 1901 (sole prop) / 1903 (corp)
Certificate of Registration (Form 2303)
1
Identify your Revenue District Office (RDO) β€” determined by your registered business address.
2
File the applicable registration form β€” 1901 for sole proprietors or 1903 for corporations/partnerships, with your DTI or SEC certificate, Mayor's Permit (or application), and proof of address attached.
3
Pay the registration fee and documentary stamp tax β€” then attend the required taxpayer's briefing/orientation.
4
Register your books of accounts β€” manual, loose-leaf, or a Computerized Accounting System (CAS), depending on your setup.
5
Secure your Authority to Print (ATP) or register a CAS/POS system before issuing official receipts or invoices.
6
Receive Form 2303 and your "Ask for Receipt" notice β€” then begin filing monthly, quarterly, and annual returns on schedule.
This is the step most businesses underestimate β€” ongoing compliance (VAT/percentage tax, withholding, income tax) continues for the life of the business.
DOLE
Department of Labor and Employment
Establishment registration & labor compliance
Establishment Report
RA 11058 (OSH Law)
1
File your Establishment Report β€” required within 30 days of starting operations, submitted to the DOLE Regional/Field Office covering your location.
2
Register under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law β€” designate a safety officer and submit your workplace OSH program where required.
3
Secure an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) β€” if the business will employ any foreign national.
4
Align payroll with labor standards β€” minimum wage per region, statutory benefits, 13th month pay, and SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG remittances.
5
Maintain records for inspection β€” DOLE conducts routine and complaint-driven labor law compliance visits.
DOLE also runs the Single Entry Approach (SEnA), a mandatory conciliation-mediation step for labor disputes before a case would escalate to the NLRC.
PEZA
Philippine Economic Zone Authority
Economic zone registration & incentives
Application Form 97-1
Board approval required
1
Submit the application and project brief β€” including your proposed activity, projected investment, and export/domestic sales ratio.
2
Secure a site or building endorsement β€” from the ecozone developer/operator where you intend to locate.
3
Present to the PEZA Board for approval β€” evaluation covers project viability and eligibility under PEZA's criteria.
4
Sign the Registration Agreement β€” formalizing your terms, including pioneer or non-pioneer incentive status.
5
Maintain reporting compliance β€” annual performance reports are required to keep your Income Tax Holiday (ITH) and other incentives active.
BOI
Board of Investments
Investment incentives registration
Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP)
Application Form 501
1
Confirm your activity is covered β€” check against the current Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) for eligibility.
2
File Application Form 501 β€” with a project report, financial projections, and your SEC or DTI registration attached.
3
Undergo BOI evaluation β€” this can include a project presentation or interview with BOI staff.
4
Receive your Certificate of Registration β€” issued with specific terms and conditions tied to your incentive package.
5
Submit Annual Reports β€” ongoing compliance is required to retain incentives such as income tax holidays and duty exemptions.
DILG
DILG / Local Government Unit
Barangay clearance & business permit
Business Permits & Licensing Office (BPLO)
Renews every January
1
Secure your Barangay Clearance β€” from the barangay where the business will physically operate.
2
File at the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) β€” with your DTI/SEC certificate, lease contract or land title, and Barangay Clearance.
3
Pass inspections β€” Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the BFP, plus sanitary and zoning clearances as applicable.
4
Pay local business taxes and fees β€” computed based on gross receipts or capitalization, depending on the LGU.
5
Receive your Mayor's/Business Permit β€” required to be renewed annually, typically each January.
FDA
Food and Drug Administration
Product & establishment licensing
License to Operate
Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)
1
Classify your product correctly β€” food, drug, cosmetic, medical device, or household/urban hazardous substance, since each has its own requirements.
2
Secure a License to Operate β€” filed through the FDA eServices Portal, with business registration documents, GMP compliance, and a floor plan of your facility.
3
Register each product β€” through a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) or the appropriate notification process.
4
Comply with labeling regulations β€” and prepare for post-market monitoring once products are in circulation.
5
Renew on schedule β€” License to Operate and product registrations typically require renewal every 1–2 years.

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