The extension of foreign investor leases to 99 years under the newly signed Republic Act 12252 is expected to open fresh opportunities in the Philippine real estate sector, according to the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP).
At the “9th Property Matters: Shaping Spaces, Strengthening Sectors” forum on September 30, 2025, BCCP Executive Vice Chair Chris Nelson said the policy change sends a strong signal to investors and could further liberalize the market.
“We have seen developments in advancing the Philippines’ real estate sector and we would recommend a more proactive approach in further liberalizing and opening it up to foreign investors,” Nelson said.
“The interest and the opportunity is there and we just have to reinforce it through reforms and increased partnership with the UK and the private sector,” he added.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Ecozone Development Department Manager Ludwig Daza reported that British investors accounted for 6.89% of total ecozone investments from 1995 to 2024.
Daza said future strategies will focus on research and development and energy efficiency, in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028.
Jones Lang Lasalle Philippines Country Head Joey Radovan urged Philippine cities to learn from international best practices, such as public-private partnership (PPP) models in London’s Olympic Park and King’s Cross.
Radovan also cited Singapore’s integrated e-services system as a useful guide for implementing the recently passed E-Governance Act.
From the private sector, AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. head of industrial parks and real estate logistics Gabriel T. Sioson said new industrial hubs are being developed in strategic locations aligned with infrastructure expansion and regulatory compliance, stretching from the Luzon Corridor to Northern Mindanao.
The event was organized by the British Chamber with support from AyalaLand Logistics, JLL Philippines, AFC SME Financing, KPMG in the Philippines, and media partner The Philippine Business and News.