DTI asks malls to give discounts to tenants

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is proposing relief measures for mall tenants impacted by the community quarantine, urging mall owners to provide discounts on lease rates.

DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez stated that they will use 'moral suasion' to persuade banks to waive or reduce fees on loan payments and encourage mall owners to cut lease fees for tenants.

These proposed measures aim to provide financial reprieve to Filipinos and businesses affected by the month-long community quarantine in Metro Manila, which is expected to slow down business.

Lopez acknowledged that mall activity may be affected by the quarantine and expressed hope that mall owners will give some 'reprieve' to their tenants.

The government has imposed a community quarantine on Metro Manila, suspended work in the executive branch, extended class suspension, and imposed a domestic travel ban to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The highest level of alert, Code Red Sublevel 2, has been raised as the country's confirmed cases reached 52, including five fatalities.