All business owners will be treated equally in the processing and issuance of business permits, the Pasay City Public Information Office announced.

This statement followed a complaint regarding two wet markets allegedly being allowed to operate with only probationary permits.

Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano clarified that the two wet markets were granted probationary permits last year under the condition that they would submit the required documents by a set deadline.

Atty. Patrick Legaspi, Chief of the Business Processing and Licensing Office (BPLO), explained that one of the wet markets in question has already submitted the necessary documents to continue operations.

He added that only one wet market, Wowee Market, still has not completed the requirements. This market had been issued several notices to comply.

On Friday, a representative from Wowee Market visited the BPLO office to submit the remaining documents, but they still lacked sanitary and occupational permits.

Legaspi emphasized that as long as the market has not completed the required documentation, the city government is unable to issue an operating permit.

“The city government cannot issue a permit to operate until all necessary documents are submitted,” Legaspi said.