PH extends land lease terms for foreign investors to 99 years

Philippine officials have signed a law that allows foreign investors to lease private lands for as long as 99 years in a bid to bring in long-term capital, technology, and expertise into the country, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Thursday.

According to the DTI, the implementing rules and regulations for Republic Act 12252 or the Investors’ Lease Act — which operationalizes the extension of lease periods for foreign investors to an aggregate of 99 years from 75 years previously — was signed by officials last Friday, December 19.

The rules will take effect on January 4, 2026, with the signatories of the measure including DTI and Board of Investments (BOI) chairperson Cristina Roque and Land Registration Authority (LRA) administrator Gerardo Sirios.

“Beyond extending lease durations, the IRR introduces vital administrative safeguards designed to protect both landowners and lessees,” the DTI said in a statement.

“A key feature is the requirement to annotate lease contracts on the land title, making the lease binding to the public and providing an essential layer of legal protection,” it added.

The extension comes three decades after the original law’s enactment, which the government hopes will attract long-term capital, advanced technology, and global expertise.

“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. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News