Starting a business requires registration with various government agencies depending on its type, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Each entity has its own registration requirements and procedures, which can often be done online or at specific offices. Additional registrations may be necessary with specialized regulatory bodies for businesses dealing in certain products such as food, tobacco, or textiles.

1. In putting up a business, there are several government agencies you have to register with
depending on the type of your business. These agencies include among others the following:
Department of Trade and Industry
It is necessary to register your business with this agency in order to gain the exclusive
rights to use your business name. Single proprietors are required to register.
Businesses can be registered at any DTI Regional or Provincial office. The directory of
DTI Regional and Provincial offices may be viewed in the Contact Us page.
You may also apply online at www.bnrs.dti.gov.ph. Registrants outside Metro Manila
may secure and accomplish their application for Business Name with the nearest DTI
regional or provincial offices. Here is the business name registration application form for
the Sole Proprietorship BN application. Click on the said link and download the form to
fill up and submit to the DTI office for walk-in applications.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
It is essential for a Partnership or a Corporation to register with the SEC in order for
them to be treated as a legal or judicial entity.
Register at:
Head Office: Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1307
Trunkline No.: (+632) 8818-0921
Email: imessagemo@sec.gov.ph
Website: www.sec.gov.ph
or https://crs.sec.gov.ph (for online registration)
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
All cooperatives are required to register with the CDA as per Republic Act 6938/6939.
Register at:
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
6/F Benlor Building, 1184 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tel. No.: (+632) 373.6895
Website: www.cda.gov.ph

2. Local Government
All businesses, whatever the legal form, are required to secure a mayor's permit or municipal
license from the city or municipality where they are located. Permits or licenses are required to
ensure that the standards are met and that business complies with the specific requirements of
the business locale. Registration procedure varies across cities and municipalities. To view the
list of local government units (LGUs), please visit the Department of Interior and Local
Government website or http://lgu201.dilg.gov.ph/.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Every business enterprise has to register with the BIR for taxation purposes. The
Bureau will furnish your business with its own tax identification number (TIN) and the
authority to print receipt, invoices, and others.
Register at:
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
BIR National Office, Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Trunkline: (+632) 981.7000 / 981.8888
Email: contact_us@cctr.bir.gov.ph
Website: www.bir.gov.ph
Social Security System (SSS)
An employer, or any person who uses the services of another person in business, trade,
industry, or any undertaking must be registered with the SSS.
Register at:
Social Security System (SSS)
SSS Building, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. Nos.: (+632) 920.6401 / 920.6446
Email: member_relations@sss.gov.ph
Website: www.sss.gov.ph
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Business establishments with five or more employees are encouraged to register with
the DOLE for the purpose of monitoring the firms’ compliance with labor
regulations. Registration is required for firms with 50 or more workers. The Bureau of

3. Local Employment administers the registration of establishments.
Register at:
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
2/F, Dy International Building, San
Marcelino cor. Gen. Malvar St., Malate, Manila
Tel. Nos.: (+632) 339.2013 / 527.8000
Email: osec@dole.gov.ph
Website: www.dole.gov.ph
Other Agencies
Depending on the type of products, certain companies are required by law to register
with other government agencies. The following is a list of regulatory bodies:
For those engaged in the export of coconuts and coconut by-products:
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
Export Division
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (+632) 928.8741 to 45
Email: pca_cpo@yahoo.com.ph
Website: www.pca.da.gov.ph
For all manufacturers of garments and textile for exports:
Garments and Textile Industry Development Office (GTIDO)
4F Industry and Investments Building
385 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, 1200 Makati City
Tel. Nos.: (+632) 976.5723 / 976.5700 loc. 5523
Fax: (+632) 976.5722
E-mail: gtido@dti.gov.ph
For rice, corn and flour dealers:
National Food Authority (NFA)
Department of Agriculture
6/F, Philippine Sugar Center Building
North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. Nos. (+632) 928.0721 / 453.3900 loc. 6225
Email: nfa_admin@nfa.gov.ph
Website: http://nfa.gov.ph/

4. For processors and traders of fibers and fiber products:
Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA)
License Division
Asia Trust Bank Annex Building
1424 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tel. Nos.: (+632) 373.7489 / 373.9241
Fax: (+632)373.7494
E-mail: fida@pldtdsl.net.ph; fida@pacific.net.ph
Website: http://fida.da.gov.ph/
For those engaged in the export of fish and fish products other aquatic products:
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
Licensing and Regulatory Division
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Building
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. No.: (+632) 929.9597 / 929.8074
Email: info@bfar.da.gov.ph; webmaster@bfar.da.gov.ph
Website: www.bfar.da.gov.ph
For exporters of animals and animal by-product
Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
Animal Health Division
BAI Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. No. (+632) 928.2836 / 928.2778
Fax No. (+632) 928.2429
Email: quarantine.bai@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.bai.da.gov.ph/
For those engaged in the export of plant and plant products
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
692 San Andres St., Malate, Manila
Tel. No.: (+632) 525.7857
Fax No.: (+632) 521.7650
E-mail: cu.bpi@da.gov.ph; buplant@yahoo.com
Website: www.bpi.da.gov.ph

5. For exporters of forest products (e.g. logs, lumber products, plywood, etc.)
Bureau of Forest Development
Forest Management Bureau
Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. No.: (+632) 927.6229
Email: fmbdenr@mozcom.com
Website: forestry.denr.gov.ph
For those engaged in the production or export of flue-cured Virginia-type
tobacco, Burley tobacco and Turkish/Oriental tobacco products
National Tobacco Administration (NTA)
Scout Reyes Street cor. Panay Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Telefax No.: (+632) 374.3987 / 374.2505
Email: mis@nta.gov.ph
Website: nta.da.gov.ph
For commodity clearance for producers, manufacturers or exporters, whose
product quality after due inspection, sampling, and testing, is found to meet established
standards
DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS)
3/F Trade and Industry Building
361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Tel. No.: (+632) 751.3123 / 751.3125
Fax No.: (+632) 751.0476
Email: bps@dti.gov.ph
Website: www.bps.dti.gov.ph
For firms who want to register their patents and trademarks
DTI-Intellectual Property Office
28 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill Town Center
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Tel. Nos.: (+632) 238.6300 to 65 loc. 205
Telefax No.: (+632) 752.4869,
Email: dittb@ipophil.gov.ph; mail@ipophil.gov.ph
Website: http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/
For those interested to tie up with export oriented firms as sub-
contractors/suppliers, provided they fall under any of the following sectors: garments

6. and handwoven fabrics, gifts and housewares, furniture and fixtures, footware and
leather goods, fresh and processed foods, and jewelry
National Subcontractors Exchange (SUBCONEX)
12/F Trafalgar Plaza., 105 H.V. Dela Costa St.,
Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel. No.: (+632) 811.8231
For those engaged in the production of food, drugs and cosmetic products
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Tel. Nos.: (+632) 807.0721 / 842.5606
Fax No.: (+632) 807.0751
Email: bfad@bfad.gov.ph
Website: http://www.fda.gov.ph/