THE proposed ordinance granting rent holiday as well as condonation of penalties/ interests on late payment of tenants of the Malimgas Public Market was finally passed by the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) after shelving it for several months.

Authored by the five-man minority bloc in the SP, namely Councilors Michael Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez and Joshua Bugayong, the measure amended Ordinance No. 2195-2020 that earlier imposed fines and penalties, fixed the rentals of stallholders and the schedule of their payments.

The majority voted for the passage of the ordinance.

The ordinance was sought by stall holders of the Malimgas Market who were seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic from the first quarter of 2020 and raged on till 2022.

The stallholders also cited the continuous presence of baratillo stores or street bazaars for several months as well as the reconstruction of the Malimgas Market as among the other reasons why they suffered business reverses in the past.

In passing the ordinance, the SP was convinced it would be judicious to give the stallholders  ‘Rent Holiday’ from June 16, 2020 to December 31, 2020 since many of the  occupants could not afford to pay their rentals.

Approved by the SP were:

1. From January 01, 2021 to December 31, 2021, the stallholders will pay only 50% of the basic rental without interests and penalties;
2. From January 01, 2022 to the present, full payment of their market rentals will be made as follows: First floor tenants will pay daily and/or every 15th and 30th of the month while Second Floor-Tenants will pay or at their option every 15th and 30th day of the month.
3. Rentals shall be waived and will not be collected from market stall holders from June 16, 2020 to December 31, 2021,
4. Market stallholders will pay 50% of their basic market without interest and penalties for 2021, and 100% for 2022 with interest and penalties for late payment after June 30, 2022.
5. Stallholders will be allowed to pay 1) Every 15th and 30th of the month for occupants at the second floor; and 2). Every day or at their option , 15th and 30th of the month for occupants of the first floor.

Mayor Fernandez said approval of the ordinance by the SP will stimulate business activities at the Malimgas Public Market while encouraging prompt payment of rentals by stallholders. (Leonardo Micua)

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