THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revised its rules on real estate investment trusts (REITs) to include transportation, telecommunication, and power assets.
In a statement, the SEC said its first memorandum circular for 2026 broadens the definition of income-generating real estate to include real properties with a regular stream of income, or those with recurring and predictable cash inflows.
This means toll roads, railways, airports, ports, energy infrastructure, data centers, and parking lots can now be considered income-generating real estate.
The previous definition of an income-generating asset only included real estate properties available for rental or lease, such as apartments, office buildings, malls, hospitals, or warehouses.
The new rules also extend the reinvestment period for REIT proceeds to two years from the current one year.
Some of the existing REITs in the Philippines include those from Citicore Renewable Energy, Ayala Land, Filinvest, Megaworld, DoubleDragon, Premier Island Power, Robinsons Land, and Vista Land. (ABS-CBN News)
