How to get your Special Permit for your event in Tagbilaran City

I’m one of the core member of the Bohol Paddlers Association Incorporated (BPAi). The organisation organises events for dragon boat races in the province and I usually handle the permits. Following are the steps I took in getting the special permit, I’m hopeful that this will help and perhaps save you the hassle, time and money.

Disclaimer: Processes may vary depending on the type of event you are organising.

Since our event is to be held in the sea, my first step is to get the Coast Guard Permit. I started by writing an intent letter addressed to the station commander of Coast Guard stating the title of our event, place, date, time and the assets we need, in our case we need 1 steel boat.

After I deliver the letter, they gave me the application form to fill up and sign. Then they require me to secure the Clearance of No Objection from the City.

I submitted the filled up form to the Coast Guard first, then wrote another letter addressed to the City Mayor. I stated in the letter the title of the event, place, time and our need from the City.

What we need from the city are tents, police personnels, emergency response unit, Clearance of No Objection and the Special Permit.

I asked the City to give me the Clearance of No Objection first because it is needed for the Coast Guard Permit and the Coast Guard Permit is needed for the Special Permit. I believe you can imagine the hassle at this point.

The Clearance of No Objection was given the next day. I drove to the City Hall, took the clearance and drove again to the Coast Guard Station. Then I waited for 3 days before I got the Coast Guard Permit.

In the meantime, the General Services Office (GSO) called me to fill up the borrower form for the tents.

When I got the Coast Guard Permit, I delivered it to the City Admin Office then the said office forwarded it to the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO).

Later that day, City Admin Office texted me to visit the BPLO for payment of the permit. I was able to visit the BPLO the next day and upon my inquiry, they require me to visit the police station for their endorsement. I comply and when I asked the police admin for the endorsement, they ask me to visit the City Traffic Manage Office (CTMO) for a note. I comply again and drove to CTMO, got the note and drove again to the Police Station then they took the papers and asked to wait for the endorsement.

I got the endorse the next day then proceeded to the BPLO. I paid 500 php for the Special Permit and asked to wait again because they still need to make it.

I finally got the Special Permit late in the afternoon and by the next day I will need to left a copy to the Police Station and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office ( CDRRMO).

The whole process took me around 2 weeks to finish.

In summary,

1. Letter to Coast Guard
2. Fill up form from Coast Guard
3. Payment to Coast Guard
4. Letter to City
5. Get Clearance of No Objection
6. Borrower form from GSO
7. Get Coast Guard Permit
8. Note from CTMO
9. Endorsement from Police
10. Payment to BPLO
11. Get Special Permit
12. Coordination and copy of Special Permit to CDRRMO

Upon careful thoughts, suggested step should be:

1. Letter to City
2. Clearance of No Objection
3. Letter to Coast Guard
4. Fill up form from Coast Guard
5. Payment to Coast Guard
6. Coast Guard Permit
7. City Admin
8. Borrower form from GSO
9. CTMO Note
10. Police Endorsement
11. Payment to BPLO
12. Special Permit
13. Coordination and copy of Special Permit to CDRRMO

Suggested step will eliminate some of the vice-versa drives to different offices.