The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is deferring April and May rent payments for 90 days in the following public economic zones: Cavite Economic Zone, Mactan Economic Zone, Baguio City Economic Zone, and Pampanga Economic Zone.
This is one of the measures adopted by PEZA under Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-023 to cushion impact of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on ecozone-registered enterprises due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The circular complies with Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Under MC 2020-023, no interest or penalty for delayed rental payment will be imposed during the 90-day grace period.
Also deferred for 30 days is payment for utilities (i.e., electricity, water, wastewater treatment) in the public ecozones, and no interest or penalty for delayed payment will be imposed during that period.
For old unpaid accounts covering the months of January to March 2020 prior to the implementation of the ECQ, PEZA is granting a payment grace period of 90 days.
Moreover, payment of fees for PEZA services and permits, including Letter of Authority (LOA), building permits, visa processing, among others, may be paid within 15 days from the lifting of the ECQ.
The LOA and visa processing permit fee deferment is limited to transactions with the PEZA head office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City since applicants in private ecozones are able to pay these transactions in the zones.
PEZA’s Assistance and Reprieves Planning Group is preparing for the authority’s business continuity plans after lifting of the ECQ period.
