To aid residents in this crisis brought by the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, the local government unit of Buguias, Benguet has suspended the payment of rental fees of stall holders at the public market.
Mayor Ruben Tinda-an, in administrative order 3-2020, has waived the payment of stall rentals, municipal booth rentals, daily cash ticket and other fees for all lessees at the public market and at municipal booths.
“The community quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic causes economic struggles and total disruption of the normal course of economic activities. Thus, there is a necessity to soften the blow of loss of income specially to low income earners,” Tinda-an said.
The waived payments cover the period March 17 to April 13. The fees included stall rentals, daily cash tickets and other fees.
“The municipal treasurer is hereby directed not to collect of the above mentioned fees,” he said.
On the other hand, the sangguniang bayan of La Trinidad, Benguet has requested local public utility services, financial institutions, property and lessors or landlords to suspend the surcharges of overdue bills as well as extending the payment of these until May.
“There is a need to alleviate the fears and frustrations of the people of La Trinidad in this time of global emergency,” the resolution reads.
“A postponement of the deadlines of the payment of public utility bills and property rentals will provide a certain financial cushion for our people,” it stated.
The resolution said the Covid-19 pandemic, which is a public health emergency has forced the national and local governments to impose measures to contain the health crisis.
This includes the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and the declaration of a national state of calamity for six months as a measure to combat the further spread of the Covid-19.
In nearby Baguio City, the Office of the Market Superintendent also announced that it is waiving penalties for lessors who fail to pay rent this month.
Waiving of penalties is apart from the approval of resolutions by some local legislative councils asking landlords to waive or give discounts to their tenants.
These councils said this move is in consideration of the impact the community quarantine has on workers who were not able to work because of restricted movement.
Even without these resolutions and announcements, several establishments have already waived rent for the month. – Ofelia C. Empian
