BUSINESS group Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) remains upbeat that the City Council will still consider its suggestion to amend the curfew ordinance to help the business sector further steer the economy.
This, after the pronouncement of the City Health Office (CHO) that it is not in favor of amending the curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. to 12 midnight to 4 a.m.
Though he refused to make comments on the CHO's stand on the matter, MBCCI chief executive officer Frank Carbon said "we are winning or gaining on health side."
Carbon said there is now a need to help businesses preserve and create jobs.
"Let's nurture our local economy back to a healthy posture so we could recover slowly but steadily," he added.
Councilor Archie Baribar, who authored the curfew ordinance, called for public hearing on the request of the business group at the City Council on July 6.
Dr. Ma. Luz Ma-Apni, during the hearing, said they will only give a go signal for the amendment of the curfew ordinance if there will be low cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Baribar said the CHO would also agree to the proposal if there is already an operational molecular biology laboratory, regulation of the locally stranded individuals, and enough quarantine facilities for them in the city.
"The CHO is not sold out to have an extension of the curfew while other participants are in favor to amend the ordinance but, ultimately, we will have to balance everything," he added.
In their position paper, businesses said amending the curfew ordinance to allow more night business hours will not only increase the revenue of the enterprises and preserve and create new jobs but will also generate much-needed cash and taxes for the city.
Baribar said he will hold a committee conference with the representative of the City Mayor's Office, the local Inter-Agency Task Force against Covid-19, Permits and Licensing Division, City Treasurer's Office, and Liga ng mga Barangay this week.
A committee report will be submitted to the City Council also this week so they can decide whether to amend it or not, he added.