Atienza backs extension of rent control law

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza expressed support yesterday for plans to extend the Rent Control Law, which expires on Dec. 31.

"We in Manila are in favor of the extension. It’s not the right time to remove the Rent Control Law," Atienza told reporters during a forum at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo yesterday. The mayor said the City Council convened on Thursday and "all the councilors are in favor of the extension." "We don’t want any additional burden for our people here in Manila."

Bukidnon Rep. Miguel Zubiri earlier proposed to extend Republic Act 8473, which will expire on Dec. 31. The law fixes at 10 percent the maximum annual increase in rentals of residential units leased for P9,000 or less.

Councilor Kim Atienza said the City Council is unanimous in supporting the proposal to extend the law because "majority of the city residents are merely renting their apartments."

The councilor said the insinuation to let the law expire is tantamount to allowing the landlords to impose increases in rentals, which is "clearly an additional burden or the already burdened Filipinos, especially now that the economy is bad."

"Landlords are dying to increase the rentals. Kawawa naman itong mga nangungupahan na mapipilitang magbayad ng karagdagang upa," (It would be unfair for tenants, who will be forced to shoulder the increase in rentals)," he added. He noted that there would be no guarantee the landlords would develop dwellings they are renting out in exchange for the increase in rentals. – Cecille Suerte Felipe