Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 30) — There will be no 30-day grace period for payment of residential rents in areas that will be placed under general community quarantine or GCQ starting May 1, a government official said Thursday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque told an online press briefing that the reprieve on rental deadlines only applies to regions, cities and provinces under the enhanced community quarantine or ECQ.
“Sa mga areas ng GCQ (general community quarantine), kinakailangan na pong magbayad,” Roque said.
[Translation: For areas under general community quarantine, you need to pay already.]
The grace period covers due dates that fall within the duration of the strict stay-at-home order.
Under Section 4 of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, lessors who refuse to provide a rent relief while the ECQ is in effect may face an imprisonment of two months or be subject to a fine of P10,000 to P1 million.
The enhanced community quarantine has been extended until mid-May in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon (except for Aurora, which will be under general community quarantine), Pangasinan, Benguet, including Baguio City, Iloilo, Cebu, including Cebu City, Bacolod City and Davao City.
All other provinces will be placed under the more relaxed GCQ.
