LGUs reduce market stall rentals

By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter)

Laoag City—As the novel coronavirus pandemic rages on, local government units in Laoag, Batac and San Nicolas offered discounts to their respective public market rentals.

In this city, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed an ordinance that grants 30 percent discount in rentals, including surcharges and penalties, for lessors at the Laoag City Public Market and Commercial Complex who are categorized as “non-essential goods” businesses.

These non-essential goods businesses were earlier restricted to open by the national government during the enhanced community quarantine that lasted from March to May, 2020.

As a result, these businesses are still trying to cope and mitigate the economic and financial fall-out from the two-month strict lockdown, wherein only those essential businesses were allowed to operate.

Laoag councilor Justine Clarence Chua, who authored the ordinance, said the grant will begin immediately upon approval of Laoag mayor Michael M. Keon and the higher Sanggunian’s review, or until December of this year.

Mr. Chua, chairperson of the council’s committee on market and slaughterhouse, believes the grant will help the said businesses to “overcome their continuing losses due to the pandemic”.

The Ilocos Times also learned that Keon fully understands the “plight and sufferings” of these stallholders selling non-essential goods especially those who were not allowed to operate during the periods of community quarantine.

SN also gives rent exemptions

Likewise, the San Nicolas municipal government also approved a similar ordinance granting exemption to all booths, stalls, kiosks, and space lessees at the San Nicolas Public Market from payment of rental fees for the month of August this year.

San Nicolas councilor Atty. Luciano Caraang, the movant of the measure, said the measure was composed due to the cause and effect of distressed people and the declining economy to livelihood of small and medium enterprises especially those at the public market.

Mr. Caraang added that the Sangguniang Bayan deemed it “appropriate and just” to grant exemptions in the payment of rental fees/charges to help ease the burden of traders and in a way help them rise and start anew in these difficult times.

The measure was co-sponsored by all members of the Sanggunian who were present during the said session.

Batac cuts 40% on rent

In the province’s other city, the local government unit granted a 40 percent discount on rental fees of lessees/stall holders at the City of Batac Public Market (CBPM), particularly to all carinderias/food section and at the “Riverside Empanadaan” for the months of August, September and October.

Batac mayor Albert D. Chua, who certified the measure as “urgent”, said he hopes this will help the establishments concerned during this time of pandemic.

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