THE Bacolod City Council urged all lessors in Bacolod City to consider graciously the situation of the micro, small and medium business establishments in the city considering the uncertainty of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis and its adverse effects to the economy.
Councilor Renecito Novero, who authored the resolution last week, said on July 21, they held a public hearing on the request of the Bacolod Employers Union (BEU) in relation to the various concerns of the micro, small and medium enterprises in the city.
He said the senior officer and representative of BEU expressed their urgent concern regarding their dues in payment rentals during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period from March, April and May in the city which forced businesses to closed down, generating no income.
He added that officer-in-charge division chief for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bacolod stated that according to DTI-Memorandum Circular 20-29, Section 3-3.5, cumulative amount of rents falling due any of the covered community quarantine, shall be equally amortized in six months following the end of the 30 days minimum grace period without interest, penalties, fees and charges, which amount shall be added to the monthly due.
The union also requested the possible adjustment of the curfew, preferably 12 midnight to 4 a.m. as it would accord them favorable adjustments in their business of activities; reasonable downward adjustment during Covid-19 season considering the their business capacity is only limited to 50 percent therefore reducing the number of their patrons which results to the reduction of their economic opportunities as well among others.
