Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is optimistic that the new land lease law or Republic Act No. 12252 would help promote the Philippines as a competitive investment center.

Escudero pointed this out as he called on the national government to aggressively market the new 99-year lease terms under RA No. 12252, which amends the Investor’s Lease Act, and position it as a long-term anchor for jobs, capital and development.

“The law is already in place. What we need now is aggressive promotion and clear messaging to investors that the Philippines is ready for long‑term partnerships,” Escudero said.

The senator made the call following recent reports of the Philippine economy expanding by only 4.4 percent in 2025, which is below the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent target, and slower than the 5.5 percent posted in 2024.

He said it is imperative that the country compensate for weaker growth by strengthening investor confidence and accelerating structural reforms.

Moreover, the lawmaker noted foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows continue to soften and this underscores the urgency of attracting long-term capital.

Aside from this, the senator also added how the labor market remains fragile with unemployment rate holding at 4.4 percent in December 2025, which is equivalent to approximately 2.26 million jobless Filipinos.

Also, youth unemployment remains in double digits, reflecting persistent structural challenges in job creation.

But reforms like RA 12252 can help reverse these trends by encouraging investors to commit to projects that generate stable, high-quality jobs over decades, Escudero said.

“In times of slowdown, we must think in centuries, not quarters. RA 12252 ensures that those who invest here will stay for generations, creating stability that outlasts economic headwinds,” he added.

RA 12252 primarily extends land leases for foreign investors from 50 years to 99 years. The lawmaker said the law introduced a structural reform to help cushion the impact of weaker growth and provide certainty for long-term projects.

The new law aims to benefit sectors such as ecozones, tourism, renewable energy and agribusiness the most, since these industries require heavy capital and long gestation periods, making the extended lease terms a decisive factor in investment decisions.

“We cannot pause structural change because of short‑term numbers. On the contrary, we must push harder so that the next cycle of growth is stronger and more resilient,” explained Escudero, principal author of the law.