RENT LAW, RISING RENTAL COSTS: A GROWING CONCERN

May 3, 2025 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

Residents are voicing their struggles to secure affordable housing—a challenge that brings the Rent Control Act of 2009 (RA 9653) into sharp focus as an increasingly vital safeguard against unchecked landlord practices. Rent Control Act aims to limit annual rent increases to
seven percent for the same tenant and requires landlords to adhere to fair pricing practices. It also mandates transparency in the rental process, protecting renters from sudden, unjustified hikes. Despite its intentions, awareness of this law remains alarmingly low among tenants in Baguio.

Local policymakers and landlords have a crucial role in addressing this issue. Increased enforcement of RA 9653 and initiatives to educate renters about their rights could pave the way for a more balanced housing landscape. Beneath the city’s charming pine trees and bustling streets lies a housing renters grappling with high costs and unsatisfactory living conditions. This issue has raised concerns among renters and sought lawmakers to revisit the implementation of said law to meet the demand of times especially the soaring cost living conditions.

Like Shiella, one of the countless students living near the university belt , faced the challenges of renting a two-bedroom apartment at ?12,000 monthly The apartment’s structure is less than ideal, with its wooden materials and cemented portions offering limited stability. The steep stairs leading to her residence only add to the hurdles of living in such accommodation. Shiella added, “Kasama na don yung water and electricity tapos internet fees, kaso medyo magigipit din minsan pag may biglaang mabigat na gastos like pag naubusan ng gasul o bigas.” Her proximity to school saves on transportation costs, but unforeseen expenses can strain her budget.

Proximity to the city center often means settling for lower-quality options or compromising on comfort. Judith, a minimum wage earner renting a shared room for P3,500 monthly, navigates the compromises that come with affordability. “Nahirapan din… kasi nagseset talaga ako ng budget na ang max ko ay ?5-7k for a solo room sa mismong town, eh kaso yung presyong ganon, pang bedspace pa lang.” She described the cramped living conditions that are emblematic of her limited options: “Dalawa kami sa iisang kwarto, sa kabilang kwarto mas mababa, P2,500 lang renta nila pero tatlo sila.”

Judith further said, the financial burden goes beyond necessities. As a minimum wage earner, she struggles to save for the future. “Yung bayad ko sa renta, malaki talaga ang nakakaltas niya sa sahod ko… halos wala na rin akong naitatabi minsan,” she admits. Transportation costs and parking fees further add to her challenges. Finding reasonably priced accommodations in Baguio is no easy feat. These realities reflect the broader issue of supply and demand in Baguio’s housing market. With the city serving as a hub for education and commerce, the competition for living spaces inevitably drives prices higher, often disproportionately to the quality offered. The stories of Shiella and Judith are not isolated but representative of a larger struggle faced by Baguio’s diverse community of renters. As the city grows, its housing policies and market practices must evolve to meet the needs of its residents.

Ruth Angeli B. Nonato/UB-Intern