CILA chairman Dr. Irineo Alvaro
CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) has reiterated its request from the state-run Clark Development Corp. to grant them rentals reprieve amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Without government support, particularly from CDC, we will hardly make it,” said CILA chairman Ireneo Alvaro.
“It is only fair to ask for reprieve as majority of the locators were not able to operate during those 2-3 months. I hope CDC would not also expect income when its tenants do not open their shops,” noted Alvaro.
In a letter to CDC president–CEO Noel Manankil dated March 16, 2020, CILA called for rentals reprieve during the lockdown period. These rentals comprise the months of March, April and May 2020.
The enhanced community quarantine enforced starting March 16 shut down business operations and limited movements in the Luzon Island as the country moved to contain the Covid-19 pandemic which already infected more than 18,086 Filipinos and killed more than 957 as of May 31, 2020.
According to CILA, “businesses have started to feel the drastic effect of the pandemic with steep decline in production, operation and sales.”
“With the travel bans implemented since the start of outbreak, the hospitality sector like the hotels and resorts have recorded their lowest occupancy rates of 30-40% from the normal 80-90%,” CILA pointed out.
And pleaded: “CILA, as the prime business organization of Clark Freeport Zone, are asking your good office to consider giving relief on government shares and/or rental dues of the locators affected by the pandemic.”
After two months with no reply from CDC, CILA sought the intervention of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority reiterating their “request for rental and other government monthly charges reprieve for the locators in Clark.”
In a letter to BCDA president-CEO Vince Dizon dated May 14, 2020, CILA reiterated its call for rentals reprieve noting “we were given the impression that our request has been approved in principle by the board and just awaiting the proper clearances from concerned government agencies.”
In its last letter, CILA indicated that “our members are at a tipping point on whether to continue operating in the Clark Freeport Zone and any positive feedback from your end will come a long way in persuading them to remain here in Clark.”
The CILA request letters sent to CDC and BCDA weresigned by CILA president Frankie Villanueva, CILA chairman Alvaro and the rest of the CILA board members.
