Lapid bats for student housing registry in every city, municipality

MANILA, Philippines —Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid has proposed to regulate students’ housing accommodation to ensure the welfare and safety of those living either on- and off-campus.

Lapid filed Senate Bill No. 1036 mandating all cities and municipalities to set up a Student Housing Registry for students’ housing, including dormitories, boarding houses, room-for-rent/bed-space businesses, apartments and other similar entities.

Now that education is free for those enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs), Lapid said it is time to focus on providing students a decent housing.

“Ngayon na libre na ang tuition sa ating mga SUCs, nararapat lamang na tuunan naman natin ng pansin ang kakulangan ng maayos na mga matitirahan para sa ating mga estudyante,” Lapit said Friday in a statement.

Under the bill, the registry shall list the names of the student housing entity’s owners, building administrators, their contact information, address of the housing entity, proof of connection to water and electric utilities and rental rates.

The proposed measure will also ensure the compliance of student housing accommodations to building rules and regulations like the existence of fire exits, firefighting instruments, and the like.

“Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang batas na ito, bukod sa pagkakaroon ng database ng lahat ng mga dormitoryo o boarding house sa bawat munisipalidad, ay nais din nating tingnan ang kakayanan ng mga paupahan na ito na masiguro ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng mga umuupang estudyante lalo na sa panahon ng sakuna,” Lapid said.