DTI: Payment of rents should start 30 days after lifting of quarantine, start of work or business

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Tuesday it amended the earlier memorandum circular on the 30-day grace period in the payments for both commercial and residential rents.

“Today, fresh from the oven [ni-release] ang Memorandum Circular 20-29 natin. This is an amendment doon sa earlier memorandum circular on rents that was MC 20-12. Ito ‘yung bago 20-29,” Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

“A 30-day grace period is given to the tenant either on residential or commercial rent para makapagbayad siya,” Castelo said.

Under the previous circular, the 30-day grace period will be determined as 30 calendar days following the last due date of the rent that fell within the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

During the briefing, Castelo said payment of the rents shall begin 30 days following the “date of the lifting of the community quarantine or kung nag-umpisa na ‘yung negosyo niya or nakabalik na siya sa trabaho.”

Unpaid rents within the ECQ shall not incur interest, penalties, fees, and other charges.

Castelo added that the tenant has the option to pay in six monthly installments after the 30-day grace period. The tenant shall also fill up or execute a promisory note expressing intent to pay the rents incurred during the ECQ in six monthly installments.

Upon the Metro Manila and most of the country’s shift to a more relaxed general community quarantine on June 1, several businesses were allowed to reopen and workers were also allowed to go back to their workplaces. --KBK, GMA News