FOR the members of a local business chamber, they see no problem on the call of President Rodrigo Duterte among businesses to stop their operation if the situation worsens due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said the prevention of the spread of the dreaded virus is of paramount importance at this time.
Carbon said business losses could be recovered in the future thus, they will abide with the instructions of the President.
"But we would request assistance from the local and national governments to mitigate our losses and be able to bounce back readily when the right time comes," he added.
MBCCI earlier laid down suggestions to the government to contain 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, it said.
Among these measures included promulgation of anti-panic buying or hoarding ordinance, prepare an ordinance localizing price freeze law, and non-implementation of business and real estate tax increases this year by the local government units (LGUs).
The group suggested for moratorium on payment of all types of loans particularly for the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth and Pagibig.
The Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines should also restructure loan repayment schedules to a longer repayment terms, it said.
MBCCI is suggesting to the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 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.
Also, local businessmen said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) should extend the deadline of filing of the 2019 Income Tax Return (ITR) to May 15 this year without penalties and surcharges.
Adding to these, Carbon said utility firms such as water, power and telecommunication should delay the payment of the costumers' bills for 30 days without penalty or pay by installments.
The National Government, he said, needs to provide low interest and longer repayment loan facility for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) so they could recover the losses quickly and be able to again provide employment.
"Local governments should delay the payment of business tax and other fees for 30 days or pay the tax on installments," the business leader added.
Moreover, part of the latest Executive Order (EO) issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia is directing all malls, recreational centers, community centers, and other commercial areas to limit their daily operational hours until 8 p.m.
This does not cover, however, business process outsourcing (BPO), medical centers, hospitals other health care establishments, pharmacies and funeral parlor.
The local businesses are complying to the order of the city's top official.
Carbon said all establishments will close 8 p.m. but the curfew will be at 10 p.m. to give workers enough time for cleaning the stores and get home.
He said they recognized the importance of strong public and private collaboration especially during these trying times.
"This is the war of the whole community and our local and national leaders are the commanding generals," Carbon said, adding that they are facing a very huge problem and they need all the help they could muster to win the war.
"We are all in the same boat," he stressed.