Business Registration

Business Registration Compliance Services

Registering a company in the Philippines does not end with the SEC or DTI. Every business must complete a series of post-incorporation compliance registrations across multiple government agencies — from the BIR and Local Government Unit to the mandatory statutory bodies SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. Starlight manages all of these on your behalf, with clear timelines and zero guesswork.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Company registration · Amendments · Corporate secretary · Share transfers · GIS filing · eFAST

SEC

The SEC is the primary corporate registration authority in the Philippines under R.A. 11232 (Revised Corporation Code). Beyond initial incorporation, businesses must maintain ongoing SEC compliance through annual General Information Sheet (GIS) filings, amendments to articles and by-laws, share transfer documentation, and corporate secretarial services. We handle initial registration and all post-incorporation SEC requirements.

Foreign-owned corporations are required to file the General Information Sheet (GIS) with the SEC within 30 days of their annual stockholders' meeting. Failure to file on time results in penalties. Our corporate secretarial team proactively manages all annual SEC filings on your behalf.

Department of Trade & Industry (DTI)

Sole proprietorship registration · Certificate of Exemption · PS Quality Mark · Import Commodity Clearance · Business closure

DTI

The DTI governs sole proprietorship registrations and several product and trade-related certifications in the Philippines. For individuals operating as sole proprietors — including some foreign nationals under specific arrangements — DTI registration is the mandatory first step before obtaining any other business permit or license. The DTI also issues the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality Mark and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) for regulated product categories.

The PS Quality Mark and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) are mandatory for certain regulated product categories — particularly electronics, appliances, and construction materials — before they can be legally sold or imported into the Philippine market.

Business Permit & Licensing Office (BPLO) — Mayor's Permit

Initial registration · Annual renewal · Amendments · Branch & warehouse permits · Business closure

LGU / BPLO

Every business in the Philippines must secure a Mayor's Permit — also known as the Business Permit — from the Local Government Unit (LGU) where it operates, as required under the Local Government Code (R.A. 7160). Business permits must be renewed annually during the first quarter of the year. Requirements, fees, and processing times vary between LGUs, making professional assistance particularly valuable for foreign businesses unfamiliar with local procedures.

Business permits in the Philippines expire on December 31 of each year and must be renewed between January 1 and January 20 to avoid surcharges and penalties. We proactively remind clients and manage the full renewal process well ahead of the deadline.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

TIN registration · COR · VAT registration · Authority to Print · E-invoicing · Share transfer · Address updates

BIR

BIR registration is a mandatory step for every business operating in the Philippines, establishing your official tax identity and authorizing you to issue legally recognized receipts and invoices. Beyond initial registration, the BIR governs a wide range of post-incorporation compliance requirements — including VAT registration, system enrollment, and documentary updates whenever your business information changes.

Foreign companies are required to obtain a BIR TIN for the Philippine entity — separate from any personal TIN — before commencing operations. All official receipts and invoices must be BIR-registered and authority-to-print compliant before they can be legally issued to clients.

Statutory Mandatories — SSS, PhilHealth & Pag-IBIG (HDMF)

Employer registration · Employee membership · Contribution management · Benefits processing · Account updates

SSS · PhilHealth · Pag-IBIG

Every employer in the Philippines is legally required to register with — and remit monthly contributions to — the three mandatory government benefit agencies: the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG / HDMF). These are non-negotiable obligations under Philippine labor law and must be completed before hiring any employee. We manage employer registration, employee enrollment, and ongoing contribution compliance across all three agencies.

Foreign-owned companies hiring Philippine-based employees must register as employers with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG before the first payroll is processed. Failure to register or remit contributions on time exposes the company and its directors to penalties and legal liability under Philippine labor law.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

ERN registration (AEP) · Occupational safety compliance · Rule 174 registration · Safety officer

DOLE

The DOLE regulates employment standards, workplace safety, and the hiring of foreign nationals in the Philippines. Foreign companies employing alien workers must register with the DOLE and comply with the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) process. Businesses with 50 or more employees are also required to comply with specific occupational safety and health standards under DOLE Rule 1020, and construction or contracting firms must secure Rule 174 certification.

Foreign nationals working in the Philippines must hold a valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by DOLE. The AEP is employer-specific and position-specific — it must be secured before the foreign employee begins work and renewed annually. We manage the full AEP application and renewal process.

Other Compliance Services

Business purpose amendments · Address amendments · Sworn statements · Invoice printing · SEC appearance

General

Beyond agency-specific registrations, businesses frequently require ancillary compliance services — from updating registered business purposes and addresses across multiple government agencies to printing SEC-compliant official receipts and handling sworn statements and certifications. We manage these tasks efficiently so your core operations are never disrupted by administrative requirements.