The IRR, signed by Trade and Industry Secretary and Board of Investments Chair Cristina A. Roque and Land Registration Authority (LRA) Administrator Gerardo Panga Sirios, was presented during a ceremony held on Dec. 19, 2025 in New Clark City, hosted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
Extending lease terms
The IRR operationalizes the extension of lease periods from a maximum of 75 years to an aggregate of 99 years—nearly three decades after the original Investors’ Lease Act was enacted.
Government officials said the reform is intended to attract long-term foreign capital, advanced technology, and global expertise by providing investors with greater security and predictability.
Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, representing Roque, said the IRR unlocks new investment opportunities while ensuring that safeguards are in place for both investors and local stakeholders.
BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang noted that longer lease terms are critical in helping the Philippines compete with its regional peers for large-scale and long-horizon investments.
Safeguards, transparency, and faster processes
Beyond extending lease durations, the IRR introduces key administrative safeguards to protect both landowners and lessees, the DTI emphasized in a press statement.
One major provision requires lease contracts to be annotated on land titles, making them binding on third parties and strengthening legal protection.
The IRR also seeks to reduce bureaucratic friction by laying out a clear, step-by-step compliance process for investors and setting specific timelines for government agencies to act on applications.
Whole-of-government effort
BOI Governor Atty. Marjorie O. Ramos-Samaniego thanked the LRA, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), and various Investment Promotion Agencies for aligning policies and clarifying procedures.
Representing the LRA, Pampanga Register of Deeds Atty. Lorna Dee said the registration of long-term leases underscores the government’s commitment to transparency and trust in business transactions.
Roque said the finalized IRR strengthens investor confidence by providing a stable and predictable regulatory environment.
“Our goal is to establish the Philippines as a top global investment destination. This signing provides the long-term security investors need and demonstrates our commitment to a more competitive, business-friendly nation,” she said.
The IRR will take effect on Jan. 4, 2026, following its publication in a newspaper on Dec. 20. — Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
