The pickleball boom in General Santos City is showing no signs of slowing, but local authorities are making one thing clear: rapid growth must come with strict compliance.
The City Mayor’s Office–Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD) has launched “Operation Pickleball Hunt,” a proactive campaign to inspect pickleball courts, facilities and operators across the city and verify that they have the necessary permits. The move marks a significant step toward regulating the sport’s fast-growing business sector.
Key Points
- General Santos City launches “Operation Pickleball Hunt” to verify permits among pickleball facilities and operators.
- Initial findings show around 40 pickleball operators are currently unlicensed.
- The city is taking a supportive approach by helping businesses secure or update their permits.
- Compliance goes beyond paperwork, with inspections also focused on player safety and legitimate operations.
Welcoming Pickleball Growth, But Requiring Compliance
General Santos City has embraced the surge in pickleball-related businesses, but officials are stressing the importance of having proper and visible documentation.
Atty. Rowi Arbilon P. Malayag, head of the BPLD, said the city welcomes new businesses while emphasizing the need for operators to keep their permits updated and properly displayed. The requirement is not simply about administrative procedures, as proper documentation can help businesses avoid operational disruptions and potential legal repercussions that could affect both operators and players.
The inspections also have a broader public safety purpose. Malayag explained that the division's checks include ensuring facilities meet safety standards, helping protect the players who regularly visit pickleball courts for recreation and stress relief.
The objective is to create a pickleball environment that is not only growing, but also safe and operating within the rules.
Initial Checks Reveal Major Permit Gap
The first phase of “Operation Pickleball Hunt” has highlighted the scale of the compliance issue facing the city's rapidly expanding pickleball industry.
Initial reports indicate that around 40 pickleball operators across General Santos City are currently operating without valid permits. Meanwhile, just 11 establishments have secured the proper documentation required to operate legally.
The figures point to a significant gap in compliance, prompting the city to step up its efforts to bring more operators into the formal regulatory system.
City Offers Support Instead of Focusing Solely on Penalties
Despite the findings, Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao has emphasized that the initiative is not designed to be purely punitive.
Instead, the city is prepared to assist operators who need help securing or updating their permits. The approach is aimed at helping pickleball businesses become compliant and integrate into the formal economy rather than simply shutting them down.
To make the process more accessible, the BPLD has established a temporary office at Dadiangas West Central Elementary School. Operators can visit the office from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to make inquiries and receive assistance with permit requirements.
As pickleball continues to expand across General Santos City, the message from local authorities is clear: the sport's rapid growth is welcome, but it must be supported by compliance, legitimate operations and player safety.
