Halt in rental hike sought

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council appeals to landlords and property owners to suspend rental increases in a move to ease the mounting financial strain on households, workers, and small businesses.

The resolution introduced by Councilor Sisinio Andales and approved by the City Council in its latest regular session stresses the need for compassion and solidarity during a period of economic uncertainty.

The measure stemmed from the official data showing how inflation and fuel price hikes have eroded household budgets.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that headline inflation stood at 6.1 percent in August 2026, with transport costs rising by 13.5 percent and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels climbing by 7.9 percent.

The Department of Energy likewise noted steep fuel price adjustments in September, including P5.68 per liter for gasoline, P4.31 for diesel, and P4.62 for kerosene.

These increases, the council stressed, have a cascading effect on food, utilities, transportation, and services, leaving many tenants struggling to meet monthly obligations.

While recognizing the rights of landlords to receive reasonable rental income and recover legitimate costs, the resolution emphasized that suspending rental hikes would provide meaningful relief to families, students, senior citizens, and small entrepreneurs already burdened by rising daily expenses.

It added that voluntary restraint would help tenants remain in their homes and places of business while fostering goodwill, stability, and harmonious landlord-tenant relations during this challenging period.

The resolution appeals to landlords and property owners in Cebu City to defer or suspend any planned increases in residential and commercial rental rates “whenever reasonably practicable” until economic conditions stabilize.

Copies of the measure will be furnished to the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry for information and dissemination, signaling the council’s intent to rally broad support for this initiative. — /IHM (FREEMAN)