Real estate lessors in Cebu City urged: Provide payment extensions, alternatives

A view of Cebu City | CDN Digital file photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Real estate lessors in Cebu City are urged to provide payment extensions or alternatives to residents or business establishments renting their space.

The Cebu City Council has passed a resolution authored by Councilor Alvin Dizon urging the real estate lessors to be more understanding of the economic situation of the city and the struggles of their tenants.

“Despite the cessation of the ECQ status of Cebu City and its transition to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), we have witnessed several closures of business establishments specifically MSMEs (medium and small enterprises) due to lack of revenues.”

“Tenants of residential spaces have also been struggling to pay rent during this time of unprecedented crisis due to loss of income,” said Dizon.

The council encourages the lessors to provide rental discounts, staggered payments, payment extensions, among others to the tenants especially those who may have lost their source of income or an establishment just reopening after the long quarantine.

The City Council has sent copies of the resolution to the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Filipino Cebuano Business Club, Inc. (FilCeb, Inc.) for their consideration.

The council hopes that the business sector especially the real estate lessors would contribute to the revival of the economy by giving the tenants a chance to gain momentum before going back to their normal rent collection policies.

Dizon also hopes that with the lessors’ cooperation, business establishments will not be forced to close down because of unpaid rent nor would any family become homeless because of late payments. /rcg