Investors’ Lease Act guidelines to boost foreign investments

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

December 26, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Land Registration Authority (LRA) have signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Investors’ Lease Act, paving the way for longer lease periods of up to 99 years for foreign investors.

In a statement yesterday, the DTI said Trade Secretary and Board of Investments (BOI) chair Cristina Roque and LRA administrator Gerardo Panga Sirios signed the IRR for Republic Act 12252 or the Investors’ Lease Act at a ceremony hosted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in New Clark City on Dec. 19.

The IRR operationalizes the extension of lease periods for private lands by foreign investors to an aggregate of 99 years from 75 years under the amended Investors’ Lease Act.

By offering longer leasehold terms for foreign investors, the government aims is to attract a steady flow of long-term capital, advanced technology and global expertise.

Apart from extending the lease duration, the IRR provides administrative safeguards to protect both landowners and lessees.

In particular, it includes the requirement to annotate lease contracts on the land title to make the lease binding to the public, and provide an essential layer of legal protection.

In addition, the IRR simplifies the process for compliance by establishing specific timelines for government agencies to act on applications.

Roque said the Investors’ Lease Act and its IRR provide a boost to investor confidence through a stable and transparent regulatory environment.

“Our goal is to establish the Philippines as a top global investment destination. This signing provides the long-term security our investors need and proves that we are serious about creating a more competitive and business-friendly nation,” Roque said.

DTI Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo emphasized that the IRR is a significant step in unlocking investment opportunities responsibly.

For his part, BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang said the measure is instrumental in providing stability and certainty, which are necessary for the country to remain competitive with the rest of the region.

Following its publication on Dec. 20, the IRR will take effect on Jan. 4.