MANILA, Philippines – A family has recently lost their rented apartment because they were unable to pay the rent as the dad lost his job amid the COVID-19 crisis. Their pitiful situation went viral, with netizens hoping that they would find a house to stay in or they would be more vulnerable to the deadly virus.
On Facebook group “Taga MONTALBAN kami”, Nicole Ronquillo shared the sad plight of the family who could be seen bringing their things to an unknown location after losing their rented apartment. She blasted the owner of the apartment rented by this family in Southville 8A, a housing development in San Isidro in Rodriguez, Rizal.
In her post, Ronquillo shared some heartbreaking photos of the mother and her two children, bringing their stuff after they got evicted. Bringing a bag and carrying some of their clothes, the mother walked with her two kids. The older one was barefoot and carried a huge basin filled with their kitchen wares while the smaller one had a small bag in this hand while holding on to his mother.
What’s so bittersweet about the photo is that the younger one still managed to smile for the camera despite the difficult situation they were in. Young as he is, he probably does not understand what they are going through. For this kid, it might just be another adventure and that he’s alright as long as he is with his family.
According to Ronquillo, the family had been renting the apartment from owners who would sometimes go abroad, leaving them as caretakers. When the owner is out of the country, this family would take care of their dogs and their house. Thus, Ronquillo could not understand why they would kick out this poor family amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Some netizens think the family probably owes the owners several months’ worth of rent that’s why they were evicted, but many pointed out that this is certainly the worst time for someone to lose a home when the virus could easily affect them in the streets.
Under Republic Act No. 11469 or ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One’ Law, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, a minimum of 30-day grace period is provided on residential rents falling due within the quarantine period “without incurring interests, penalties, fees, and other charges” to ease the burden of individuals affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
Refusal to provide thirty (30)-day grace period shall be punishable with imprisonment of two (2) months or a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos(P10,000) but not more than One million pesos (P 1,000,000), or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
On Facebook group “Taga MONTALBAN kami”, Nicole Ronquillo shared the sad plight of the family who could be seen bringing their things to an unknown location after losing their rented apartment. She blasted the owner of the apartment rented by this family in Southville 8A, a housing development in San Isidro in Rodriguez, Rizal.
 |
| Photo credit: Nicole Ronquillo / Facebook - Taga MONTALBAN kami |
In her post, Ronquillo shared some heartbreaking photos of the mother and her two children, bringing their stuff after they got evicted. Bringing a bag and carrying some of their clothes, the mother walked with her two kids. The older one was barefoot and carried a huge basin filled with their kitchen wares while the smaller one had a small bag in this hand while holding on to his mother.
What’s so bittersweet about the photo is that the younger one still managed to smile for the camera despite the difficult situation they were in. Young as he is, he probably does not understand what they are going through. For this kid, it might just be another adventure and that he’s alright as long as he is with his family.
 |
| Photo credit: Nicole Ronquillo / Facebook - Taga MONTALBAN kami |
Some netizens think the family probably owes the owners several months’ worth of rent that’s why they were evicted, but many pointed out that this is certainly the worst time for someone to lose a home when the virus could easily affect them in the streets.
Under Republic Act No. 11469 or ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One’ Law, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, a minimum of 30-day grace period is provided on residential rents falling due within the quarantine period “without incurring interests, penalties, fees, and other charges” to ease the burden of individuals affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
Refusal to provide thirty (30)-day grace period shall be punishable with imprisonment of two (2) months or a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos(P10,000) but not more than One million pesos (P 1,000,000), or both, such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
