Quick reference
Government agencies you'll deal with
Bookmarked links and short notes on what each portal is for. We keep this list current.
Tax
Bureau of Internal Revenue
BIRIncome tax, VAT, percentage tax, withholding, and all things tax-related. The eFPS / eBIRForms portal is where you file most returns.
Business Registration
Department of Trade and Industry
DTIBusiness name registration for sole proprietorships. Online via the Business Name Registration System (BNRS).
Securities and Exchange Commission
SECCorporation, OPC, and partnership registration. Annual GIS / AFS filings for corporations.
Employees & Benefits
Social Security System
SSSMandatory social insurance for private-sector employees. Employer registration, R-3 / R-5 remittances, salary loans, sickness/maternity benefits.
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
PhilHealthNational health insurance. Mandatory employer + employee premium remittance.
Home Development Mutual Fund
Pag-IBIG / HDMFProvident savings and housing loans. Mandatory employer + employee remittance.
Department of Labor and Employment
DOLELabor standards, employment contracts, workplace inspections, and the 13th month pay enforcement framework.
Local Government
Local Government Units (LGUs)
LGU / BPLOMayor's Permit / Business Permit, Sanitary Permit, fire safety inspection, locational clearance. Each LGU has its own Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO).
Industry-Specific
Board of Investments
BOIInvestment incentives (income tax holiday, duty exemptions) for qualifying activities under the Strategic Investment Priority Plan.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority
PEZATax incentives + duty-free importation for businesses inside PEZA economic zones. IT-BPM, manufacturing, and tourism are common qualifiers.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
DHSUDReal estate developer registration, license to sell, project registration. Replaced the older HLURB.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
LTFRBFranchise / Certificate of Public Convenience for public transport (buses, jeepneys, ride-share). Plus LTO for vehicle registration.
Food and Drug Administration
FDALicense to operate (LTO), product registration, and certification for food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices.
National Privacy Commission
NPCData Privacy Act (RA 10173) compliance. Required to register if you process personal data above the threshold or designate a Data Protection Officer.
Drowning in agencies?
UPworth handles BIR, DTI, SEC, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and LGU coordination so you don't have to queue.
