THE NATIONAL Housing Authority (NHA) XI formally turned over a condominium unit to the family of the late basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia at Madayaw Residences here on Friday, July 4.
Representatives of NHA general manager Joeben A. Tai led the turnover of the keys and certificate of award to Baterbonia’s parents and siblings, who personally attended the event.
“Malugod po nating ipinagkaloob ang isang condominium unit sa naulilang pamilya ng yumaong student-athlete na si Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia, bilang simbolo ng ating pakikiisa at suporta sa kanilang pagharap sa bagong yugto ng kanilang buhay,” Tai said in a Facebook post.
NHA XI, in a press statement, said the unit was granted to the family at no cost, as part of the agency’s continuing program to provide decent housing to qualified beneficiaries.
The 42-square-meter unit has two bedrooms, one comfort room, a dining room, and a kitchen area.
“Nakaaantig ang taos-pusong pasasalamat ng pamilya Baterbonia sa biyayang kanilang natanggap. Higit pa sa isang bahay, ito ay isang bagong simula at isang paalala na sa panahon ng pagsubok, may pamahalaang handang umalalay,” Tai added.
The NHA said the housing grant for the Baterbonia family is part of its broader initiatives under the “Build Better More” and “Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino” programs.
The condo unit came fully furnished through donations from private companies such as Bilrey Construction, which provided household appliances, while CLC Marketing and Ventures Corp. donated a dining set, living room set, and bedroom sets, all already installed in the unit as of the turnover date.
“Malaking biyaya ito para sa amin ngayong araw na ito. Ngayon, may sarili na kaming matitirhan dito sa Davao,” the family said.
Baterbonia, 18, died on June 8 along with teammate Divine Adili after both drowned during a team-building activity of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball squad in Dipaculao, Aurora.
He had just moved up from Ateneo de Davao University, where he led the Davao Region to its first-ever Palarong Pambansa basketball title in 2025 and earned tournament MVP honors, before he was set to suit up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
His death, along with Adili’s, drew national attention and prompted investigations by the National Bureau of Investigation and a Philippine Sports Commission-led panel into ADMU’s training practices.
Following his death, ADDU renamed its senior high school covered court in his honor, retired his jersey number 2, and pledged full scholarships to his six siblings from basic education through college.
