Protectionism but with Progress

Filipinos are fiercely protective of their land, and rightly so. Our land is not just soil. It is memory, struggle, and identity. It is where our families are rooted, where our stories begin, and where we hope our children will thrive. That is why many of us react strongly when we hear proposals to allow foreigners to own land in the Philippines. We worry about losing control, being pushed aside, or watching foreign interests dictate how our land is used.

These concerns are real. But there is also another truth we must face. The Philippines needs progress. We want more jobs, better infrastructure, and stronger communities. To get there, we need investment. Some of it will come from within, but much of it will come from abroad. Investors bring not just capital, but also technology, training, and access to global markets.

We are caught between two goals: protecting what is ours and unlocking what is possible. But what if we did not have to choose? What if there were a way to safeguard Filipino control over land while still encouraging economic growth?

There is a path forward, and it begins with letting go of the outdated idea that land must be owned in order to be used. Instead of selling land outright to anyone—Filipino or foreign—we can move toward a system where land remains a shared inheritance, but is leased and used productively.

This is the principle behind a land value tax. Under this system, people and businesses pay based on the value of the land they use, not on the buildings or improvements they create. The land itself remains under public domain or protected status. The tax discourages land hoarding and rewards productive use. Everyone who benefits from land contributes their fair share.

Foreign investors could still come in and build, but they would not be able to buy the land itself. They would lease it and pay rent based on its value. This ensures that economic benefits stay in the country. Local communities would gain revenue that could be used for schools, roads, and healthcare.

We do not need to look far for examples. Singapore has built a world-class economy without selling land to foreigners. Most of its land is state-owned. The government leases it to users, collects revenue, and reinvests it in public goods. Other prosperous nations have adopted similar models.

In the Philippines, a land value tax could protect our national interest while unlocking new opportunities. It would discourage speculation, reduce inequality, and ensure that land is used for the benefit of all.

Let us protect what matters most. Let us also build what the future demands.

We can choose protectionism without shutting the door to progress. We can uphold our love for the land while welcoming ideas that make it serve more people, more fairly. The key is not to resist change, but to shape it with wisdom, pride, and courage.