The business community here has asked the city government to lift the curfew and liquor ban, particularly for residents 23 years old and above, to encourage opportunities for evening businesses.

“Many businesses, including small and micro enterprises were forced to close. As a result, many workers have either lost their jobs or earn less than what they used to,” the business groups said in a position paper on Thursday.

Bacolod, which is under modified general community quarantine, implements the 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew, and a partial liquor ban, which allows the purchase of alcoholic beverages only from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

They noted that while the community quarantine measures have been necessary to save lives amid the increasing infections of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), they are now facing economic distress because of the loss of jobs and other means of livelihood.

“About 30 percent of the sector’s revenues come from night businesses,” Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) chief executive officer Frank Carbon said.

Carbon said that they will submit the position paper to the city government this week.

In the position paper, the local business community stated that cash assistance and the provision of some food items have helped tide over the poorest of the poor through the quarantine, but that was only a short-term solution.

They added that stimulating economic activity is the next crucial step to help people, families, and businesses stay afloat and get on the road to recovery.

Aside from lifting the curfew and liquor ban, the sector is pushing for other measures to stimulate local economic activity.

“The local government should increase the purchasing power of the populace through the cash-for-work program, labor-intensive infrastructure projects, and financial assistance to micro-businesses,” they said.

Also, the business groups said that to protect the purchasing power of low-income and most vulnerable families, the local government needs to organize rolling stores, implement a price freeze ordinance, and set a suggested retail price for basic necessities.

“For businesses to stay afloat, business taxes and other fees should be reduced in 2021. There should be discounts on real estate tax paid in advance, as well as a tax amnesty on unpaid real estate tax and business tax,” they added.

The position paper is a collective stand of the MBCCI, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental, Resort Association of Negros Island, and Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (PNA)