Moratorium on rentals, disconnections pushed

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Councilor Simplicia Distrito is asking residential and commercial establishment owners in the city to impose a moratorium on the rentals of their tenants until Dec 31, 2020.

“Most of us are affected by the pandemic most especially our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), who most of them are only leasing their spaces and those that are renting their homes,” Distrito said in a statement sent to media outfits here Monday.

Distrito also appealed to Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa), PLDT, Globe Telecom, Smart Philippines and all other utilities in the city not to enforce any disconnection at least until end-2020.

“We appeal to the conscience and compassion of Ceneco, PLDT, Smart, Globe, Baciwa and all public utility companies to understand the plights of your consumers in this time of pandemic, and not to enforce any disconnection at least until December 31 of this year,” the councilor said.

Distrito said the law is very clear that a 30-day grace period on all bills should be in effect amid the enhanced community quarantine or modified enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also said that the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City also appealed through a resolution “not to implement any disconnection in this time of pandemic until at least this December 31.” Distrito noted that even the Energy Regulatory Commission declared there would be no disconnection of power supply to consumers until December 31.

“Let us be one with our suffering consumers in this time of crisis. Electricity, water, communication and the internet are now basic needs aside from food,” she further said.
Distrito said children will also be affected as they are now undergoing online classes that require electricity and internet connectivity.