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SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GEC 103 READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY (W/ IP STUDIES) KENNETH D. SECRETARIA

(Course Code) (Course Title) (Name of Instructor)

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I. Learning Module Agrarian Reform from the Spanish

Colonial Philippines to the Present

(Module Number) (Topic) (Week) (Dates)

II. Introduction
This chapter introduces the students to the governance of Spain in the
Philippines. Lesson 1 presents Marcelo H. Del Pilar's La Soberania Monacal
en
Filipinas (Monastic Sovereignty in the Philippines) that analyzed the
political, religious, and economic aspects of friarchy or frialocracia in the
Philippines during the late 19th century.

Lesson 2 explains the forms of taxes levied by the Spanish government on the
Filipinos, and the revolts that were carried out against these taxes and other forms
of Spanish economic abuses. Although the revolts were not successful, it still caught
the attention of the Spanish government reform in 1884. at resulted to a tax

On the other hand, Lesson 3 discusses the agrarian reform from the Spanish
colonial Philippines to the present. The agrarian agenda of each of the Philippine
presidents are also discussed. Lesson 4 describes the historical evolution of the
Philippine Constitution from the 1897 Constitution of Biak-na-Bato to the present
constitution, the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

III. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

1. Discuss the agrarian reforms during the Spanish period
2. Discuss the agrarian reforms in the present

IV. Stimulating Recall

1. What do you know about the agrarian reforms?

V. Presentation of the Topic/Learning Material

AGRARIAN REFORM FROM THE SPANISH COLONIAL PHILIPPINES TO THE PRESENT
LAND REFORM has gained great significance all over the world as it aims to
achieve social justice and full development of human dignity. Throughout time, the issue
of land reform has been persistent, demanding measures to stop social unrest. Worst
scenarios were observed during the colonial era when the Spanish colonizers introduced new
land-holding systems to caciques. The introduction of Torrens system created serious
problems that have far-reaching effects onthe early systems of landholding. The nature
inhabitants lost their ancestral domains to the colonialists.

The poor economic and social conditions of the peasants in the Philippines need
immediate agrarian reform measures by the Philippine government.
PRE-SPANISH PERIOD

Filipinos already lived in villages and barangays even before the Spaniards came
to the Philippines. The settlements were ruled by chieftains or datus who comprised the
nobility. There were also the maharlikas (freemen), the aliping mamamahay (serfs) and
aliping saguiguilid (slaves). Despite the existence of a social structure, everyone had
access to the fruits of the soil. Rice was the medium of exchange as money was yet
unknown.

SPANISH PERIOD (1521-1896)

The Spaniards introduced the concept of encomienda to the Philippines. Encomienda

ras a system of giving lands (Royal Land Grants) to the Spanish conquerors that were yal
to the Spanish monarch. As a matter of policy, encomenderos must defend his comienda from
external attack, maintain peace and order within, and support the Essionaries. In turn,
the encomenderos were given the right to collect taxes (tribute) m the indios (natives).
Because of this, encomenderos started to abuse their power renting their lands to a few
powerful landlords, and the natives who once freely tivated the land became share
tenants.

AGRARIAN UPRISINGS (1745-46)

Taxation was not only the reasons for the revolts of the Filipinos during the
Spanish period, but the agrarian unrest as well. The Agrarian Revolt happened between 1745
and 1746 in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite, and Bulacan. The revolt happened in the towns of
Lian and Nasugbu in Batangas. The grabbing of lands by the Catholic religious orders
angered the native lands owners and demanded that their lands be returned based on
ancestral domain, However, the Spanish priests refused which resulted to riots and massive
looting of convents and the burning down of churches and ranches. Troops were sent from
Manila to Batangas to quell the disturbance. The encounter was bloody and those who
surrendered were pardoned.

The uprising resonated in other towns of the neighboring provinces, notably

Biñan, Imus, Silang, Kawit, Bacoor, San Mateo, Taguig, Parañaque, and Hagonoy. The
agrarian conflicts reached the ear of King Philip VI who appointed Oidor (a judge of the
Royal Audiencias and Chancillerias) Pedro Calderon Enriquez to investigate the charges
brought against the religious orders and to ascertain the validity of their titles to the
lands in question. The friars were ordered to submit their titles to a secular judge, but
refused to comply, claiming ecclesiastical exemption. In the face of their opposition the
governor general dispossessed the friars of the lands which were said to have been
illegally occupied by the friars and which they were continuing to hold without legitimate
title, restoring the lands to the Crown. The case was appealed by the friars to the Royal
Audiencia of Manila and that tribunal upheld the first decision; then the case was further
appealed to the Council of the Indies in Spain and again the decision was confirmed. But
the whole matter did not stop here; subsequently, the friars won their case and retained
the disputed lands, and their ownership of the lands remained intact even after the end of
the Spanish regime.

THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

When Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo came to power in 1899, the Malolos Constitution which
they crafted intended to confiscate the so-called Friar lands and other large estates.
However, the First Philippine Republic was short-lived so that the plan to confiscate the
lands was never executed.
AMERICAN PERIOD (1898-1935)

There were some noteworthyregulations enacted during the American period. These
were the Philippine Bill of 1902, which set the ceilings on the hectarage of private
individuals to 16 hectares, and 1,024 hectares for corporations. The Land Registration Act
of 1902 (Act No. 496), which provided for a comprehensive registration of land titles
under the Torrens system. The Public Land Act of 1903, which introduced the homestead
system in the Philippines. The Tenancy Act of 1933 (Act No. 4054 and 4113), which
regulated relationships between landowners and tenants of rice (50-50 sharing) and sugar
cane lands.

However, The Land Registration Act of 1902 did not completely solve the problem
ot land registration under the Torrens system because the lands owners might not have been
aware of the law or that they could not pay the survey cost and other fees required in
applying for a Torrens title

COMMONWEALTH PERIOD (1935-1942]

During this period, President Manuel L. Quezon advocated the Social Justice
program

to block the increasing social unrest in Central Luzon. Significant legislations

enacted during Commonwealth period were the following: The 1935 Constitution, which was
promulgated for the promotion of social justice to ensure the well-being and economic
security of all people, should be the concern of the State.

The Commonwealth Act No. 178 (An Amendment to Rice Tenancy Act No. 4045), enacted
on Nov. 13, 1936, provided for certain controls in the landlord-tenant relationships The
National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC) of 1936 established the price of rice and corn
that helped the poor tenants as well as consumers.

The Commonwealth Act. No. 461, 1937, specified the reasons for dismissal of
tenants and only with the approval of the Tenancy Division of the Department of Justice.
The Rural Program Administration, created on March 2, 1939, provided the purchase and
lease of haciendas and their sale and lease to the tenants.

The Commonwealth Act No. 441, enacted on June 3, 1939, created the National
Settlement Administration with a capital stock of P20, 000,000.

JAPANESE OCCUPATION

During the Second World War (that started in Europe in 1939 and in the Pacific in
1941), the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) controlled the areas of Central
Luzon. The HUKBALAHAP was composed of peasants and workers who took up arms against the
Japanese forces. Peasants who supported them earned fixed rentals, while landowners who
supported the Japanese lost their lands to peasants. But this was short-lived because it
ended with the end of WWII.

The problems of land tenure in the Philippines remained even after the Philippine
Independence in 1946. To address the problem, the Philippines Congress revised the tenancy
law.

PRESIDENT MANUEL ROXAS (1946-1948)

During Roxas' administration, the following laws were enacted: Republic Act No.
34, which established the 70-30 sharing arrangements and regulated the share-tenancy
contracts, Republic Act No. 55, which provided for a more effective safeguard against
arbitrary ejectment of tenants.
PRESIDENT ELPIDIO QUIRINO (1948-1953)

President Elpidio Quirino (1948-1953) issued Executive Order No. 355 on October
23, 1950, replaced the National Land Settlement Administration with Land Settlement
Development Corporation (LASEDECO) that took over the responsibilities of the Agricultural
Machinery Equipment Corporation and the Rice and Corn Production Administration.

PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY (1953-1957)

President Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957) enacted the following laws: (a) Republic
Act No. 1160 of 1954, which abolished the LASEDECO and established the National
Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) to resettle dissidents and landless
farmers. It was particularly aimed at rebel returnees providing home lots and farmlands in
Palawan and Mindanao. (b) Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954), which
governed the relationship between landowners and tenant farmers by organizing share-
tenancy and leasehold system. It also created the Court of Agrarian Relations. (c)
Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955), which created the Land Tenure
Administration (LTA) that was responsible for the acquisition and distribution of large
tenanted rice and corn lands over 200 hectares for individuals and 600 hectares for
corporations. (d) Republic Act No. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit Cooperative
Financing Administration), which provided loans to small farmers and share tenants with
interest rates of as low six to eight percent.

PRESIDENT CARLOS P. GARCIA (1957-1961]

President Carlos P. Garcia (1957-1961) who succeeded the presidency after the
death of President Ramon Magsaysay continued the program.

PRESIDENT DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL (1961-1965)

President Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965) enacted Republic Act No. 3844 of August
8. 1963 (Agricultural Land Reform Code) that abolished share tenancy, institutionalized
leasehold, set retention limit at 75 hectares, invested rights of preemption and
redemption for tenant farmers, provided for an administrative machinery for
implementation, institutionalized a judicial system of agrarian cases, incorporated
extension, marketing and supervised credit system of services of farmer beneficiaries.

PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS (1965-1986)

The Philippines "New Society" (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) was ushered in by the
proclamation of Martial law (Proclamation No. 1081) on September 21, 1972. During this
time, the Agrarian Reform program was put into law and land reform program was
implemented. In the events the followed, President Marcos decreed the following: (1)
Republic Act No. 6389, (Code of Agrarian Reform) and RA No. 6390 of 1971 that created

the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Agrarian Reform Special Account Fund
and expanded the scope of agrarian reform. (2) Presidential Decree No. 2, September 26,
1972, declared the country under land reform program andactivated the Agrarian Reform
Coordinating Council. All government agencies were ordered to fully cooperate and assist
the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). (3) Presidential Decree No. 27, October 21, 1972,
restricted the land reform scope to tenanted rice and corn lands and set the retention
limit at 7 hectares.

PRESIDENT CORAZON C. AQUINO (1986-1992]

Article II. Sec. 21 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that "The State
shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform." With this, President
Cory Aquino signed into law the following: (1) Executive Order No. 228, July 16, 1987,
which declared full land ownership to qualified farmer-beneficiaries covered by PD 27. (2)
Executive Order No. 229, July 22, 1987, provided the mechanism for the implementation of
the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). (3) Proclamation No. 131. July 22, 1987,
which instituted the CARP as a major program of the government. It provided for a special
fund known as the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), with an initial amount of Php 50 billion to
cover the estimated cost of the program from 1987-1992. (4) Executive Order No. 129-A,
July 26, 1987, which streamlined and expanded the power and operations of the DAR. (5)
Republic Act No. 6657, also known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) which
was signed into law on June 10, 1988. This law instituted a comprehensive agrarian reform
program to promote social justice and industrialization. This law is still at work until
the present. (6) Executive Order No. 405, June 14, 1990, which conferred in the Land Bank
of the Philippines (LBP) the responsibility to determine land valuation and compensation
for all lands covered by CARP. (7) Executive Order No. 407, June 14, 1990, which
accelerated the acquisition and distribution of agricultural lands, pasture lands,
fishponds, agro-forestry lands and other lands of the public domain suitable for
agriculture. PRESIDENT FIDEL V. RAMOS (1992-1998)

President Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998) enacted laws that would promote a more
meaningful agrarian reform program. These laws include, (1) Republic Act No. 7881 of 1995.
This law amended certain provisions of RA 6657 and exempted fishponds and prawns from CARP
coverage. (2) Republic Act No. 7905 of 1995, which strengthened CARP implementation. (3)
Executive Order No. 363 of 1997, which prescribed the guidelines for the protection of
areas nonnegotiable for conversion and monitoring compliance with Section 20 of the Local
Government Code. (4) Republic Act No. 8435 of 1997 (Agriculture and Fisheries
Modernization Act AFMA), an act prescribing urgent related measures to modernize the
agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country in order to enhance their profitability
and prepare said sectors for the challenges of globalization through an adequate, focused
and rational delivery of necessary support services appropriating funds therefor and for
other purposes. (5) Republic Act 8532 of 1998, an act strengthening further the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), by providing augmentation fund therefor,
amending for the purpose Section 63 of Republic Act No. 6657, otherwise known as "The CARP
Law of 1988". This law provided an additional Php50 billion for CARP and extended its
implementation for another 10 years.

PRESIDENT JOSEPH E. ESTRADA (1998-2000)

ERAP initiated the enactment of Executive Order NO. 151, September 1999 (Farmer's
Trust Fund), which established the farmers trust development program and provided
institutional reforms and fund mechanisms for mobilizing long term private sector capital
for rural development. President Estrada launched the Magkabalikat para sa Kaunlarang
Agraryo or
MAGKASAKA. The DAR forged into joint ventures with private investors into
agrarian sector. The "Agrikulturang Maka Masa" was also launched that achieved an output
growth of 6 percent, which lowered the inflation rate from 11 percent in January 1999 to
just a little over 3 percent by November of the same year. This was a record high at the
time.

PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPACAL-ARROYO (2001-2010)

Pres. Arroyo envisioned to make the countryside economically viable for the
Filipino family by building partnership and promoting social equity and new economic
opportunities towards lasting peace and sustainable rural development. So, on September
27, 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, signed (1) Executive Order No. 379 s 2004.
amending Executive Order No. 364 entitled Transforming the Department of Agrarian Reform
into the Department of Land Reform (DLR), which broadened the scope of the Department by
making it responsible for all land reform in the country. It also placed the Philippine
Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP) under its supervision and control. DLR was also
responsible for the recognition of the ownership of ancestral domain by indigenous
peoples, under the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). (2) Memorandum
Circular No. 4 series of 2003 operationalized the development of Kapit Bisig Laban sa
Kahirapan Agrarian Reform Zones (KALAHI ARZones). (3) Republic Act No. 9700 s 2009, an act
strengthening the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), extending the acquisition
and distribution of all agricultural lands, instituting necessary reforms, amending for
the purpose certain provisions of republic act no. 6657, otherwise known as the
comprehensive agrarian reform law of 1988, as amended, and appropriating funds therefor.

PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON COJUANGCO AQUINO III (2010-2016)

President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III (2010-2016) together with farmers,
Catholic bishops, and other land reform advocates developed a plan of action for the
implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms
(CARPER). Aquino established the multi-stakeholders mechanism, composed of representatives
from the Department of Agrarian Reform and other CARP implementing agencies of the
government, Church officials, non-governmental organizations, peoples organizations, and
other farmers' groups and federations to monitor the implementation of the CARP,
specifically focusing on: (a) coverage and distribution of agricultural lands; (b)
movement and performance of Department of Agrarian Reform personnel; (c) delivery of
support services to the beneficiaries; and (d) budget allocation and utilization.

PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE (2016-2022)

The issue of land reform has been persistent even up to the present time. The
current Duterte administration is committed to pursuing the agrarian reform program in the
country. President Duterte, who is also the chairman of the Presidential Agrarian Reform
Council (PARC), has included land tenure security in his 10-point socio-economic agenda to
improve the quality of life of farmers and raise their productivity.

VI. Other Reading Materials or Sources

 Ligan, V.O. et al (2018). Readings in the Philippine History. Mutya Publishing
House, Inc. Malabon City, Philippines