LIMITED OPERATION. Only stores offering essential goods and services have remained open in a major shopping mall in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City as of Friday (March 20, 2020). Closing time is also earlier than usual after Mayor Evelio Leonardia directed all malls to limit their daily operational hours until 8 p.m. as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). (PNA Bacolod file photo)
BACOLOD CITY – As businesses halt operations and limit operating hours, a business leader here believes losses can be recovered with the assistance of the government once the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis is over.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said on Friday they see no problem in complying with the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to stop their operations, if situation worsens.
“But we will request assistance from the local and national governments to mitigate our losses and to be able to bounce back readily when the right time comes," he added.
Carbon said the prevention and control of Covid-19 are of paramount importance at this time.
Earlier, the MBCCI outlined suggestions to the government on how to mitigate the adverse effects of Covid-19 to the business sector.
Local and national governments should unveil a package of measures that will keep the enterprises robust, the business group said.
These include promulgation of anti-panic buying or hoarding ordinance; approval of ordinance localizing price freeze law; and non-implementation of business and real estate tax increases this year by the local government units.
The MBCCI also suggested a moratorium on the payment of all types of loans, particularly those granted by the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and Pag-IBIG Fund.
The Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines should also restructure loan repayment schedules to longer repayment terms, it added.
Also, MBCCI suggested to the Department of Labor and Employment that all small and medium-sized businesses be allowed to conclude salary structure arrangements lower than the current minimum wage provided there will be no termination of regular employees.
Carbon said the national government has to provide low interest and longer repayment loan facility for small and medium enterprises so they can recover their losses quickly and will be able to provide employment again.
Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia has ordered curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and directed all malls, recreational centers, community centers, and other commercial areas here to limit their daily operational hours until 8 p.m.
Shopping malls in the city have temporarily stopped operations on Thursday and Friday until further notice although the supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, hardware, bakeries, and some restaurants are open daily. (PNA)
