READINGS IN

History
MODULE 3: SOCIAL,
POLITICAL,
ECONOMIC, AND
CULTURAL ISSUES
IN PHILIPPINE
HISTORY
 AGRARIAN REFORM AND ITS ROLE IN
PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT

this section focuses on the history of agrarian reform

in the Philippines and its significance to Philippines
development. Agrarian issues have long existed in
the country despite the efforts of past administration
to address them. it looks into the programs and
policies crafted by past administrations and assesses
their contribution and shortcomings in terms of
achieving effective and genuine agrarian reform
policies in the Philippines.
 INTRODUCTION
Instructions: The class will be divided into four
groups to represent the following sectors: the
government, the business industry, the
landowners, and the landless farmers. Each
group
will deliberate on how to address the given
scenario. Afterward, two members from each
group will serve as the representatives in a
simulated town hall meeting in order to address
and resolve the issue presented by the scenario.
GOVERNMENT—AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, YOUR TASK IS TO
ALWAYS CONSIDER THE WELFARE OF EVERY CITIZEN. YOU
SHOULD BE GUIDED BY THE UTILITARIAN PRINCIPLE: THE
GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER.

BUSINESS INDUSTRY - AS BUSINESS OWNERS, YOUR

FOREMOST CONCERN IS MAINTAINING A GOOD AND
PROFITABLE BUSINESS AT ALL COSTS. AS CAPITALISTS, YOUR
GOAL IS TO ALWAYS GET THE BEST PROFIT AT THE LEAST
POSSIBLE COST.

SECTOR
DESCRIPTIONS:
 LANDOWNERS-AS LANDOWNERS, YOU POSSESS THE MOST
AVAILABLE ASSET IN THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY. YOUR GOAL
IS TO ALWAYS MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THE LAND YOU OWN IN
TERMS OF REVENUE.

LANDLESS FARMERS - AS LANDLESS FARMERS, YOU TILL THE

LANDS OF LANDOWNERS IN EXCHANGE FOR MINIMAL WAGE OR
SHARE OF REVENUE. YOU SERVE AS THE CORE OF THE
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF THE COUNTRY. HOWEVER, YOU
STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE BECAUSE OF LACK OF ASSETS,
INVESTMENTS, AND CAPABILITIES.

SECTOR
DESCRIPTIONS:
Scenario:
The faraway town of DreamLand is a town that relies on
agricultural production for its economy. One day, a once in
a lifetime opportunity dawns upon the town when a group
of business investors offered to convert all the agricultural
land of Dreamland to commercial spaces and residential
areas. They claim that by converting the land, Dreamland
will have its economy improved. However, this will
displace majority of the residents of the town, including
the many farmers who have no other source of livelihood.
Given the impasse, the business investors, landowners, and
landless farmers seek the guidance
 WHAT IS LAND REFORM?

Land reform involves changing or establishing

laws, or customs regarding land ownership. It
also refers
to the remedies to improve the relation between
the tiller and the owner of the land or employee
and employer in a farm. In other words, it
identifies the rights of the one who owns or uses
a particular agricultural land.
LAND REFORM IS OFTEN USED INTERCHANGEABLY WITH AGRARIAN
REFORM, BUT THE LATTER IS MUCH BROADER. AGRARIAN REFORM
COVERS THE RESTRUCTURING OF TENURE AND THE PRE- AND POST-
PRODUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES STRUCTURES IN THE
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OR
OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN THE PHILIPPINES
ALREADY EXIST SINCE THE PRE-COLONIAL ERA. PRIOR TO THE
SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD, A SYSTEM OF LAND OWNERSHIP WAS
ALREADY IN PLACE WHEREIN THE DATU SERVED AS THE PRINCIPAL
OWNER OF THE LANDS WHILE THE MAHARLIKA AND THE TIMAWA
WERE ENTITLED TO
HAVE SOME PARTS OF LAND IN A CERTAIN AREA.

FILIPINO FARMER
PEOPLE CATEGORIZED AS ALIPIN (SLAVE) SERVED AS THE WORKERS OF
THE COMMUNITY. MAJORITY
ALIPIN
OF YIELDS FROM THE LAND WOULD GO TO THE DATU. ONCE AN WAS
GIVEN A PIECE OF LAND FOR HIM OR HER TO OWN, HE OR SHE WOULD
NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED AN ALIPIN.
DURING THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD, THE SPANISH AUTHORITIES
CONSIDERED ALL LANDS AS PUBLIC DOMAIN REGARDLESS OF
CULTURAL CUSTOMS. THE KING OF SPAIN WAS ALSO AT LIBERTY TO
DISTRIBUTE PARCELS OF LAND AS REWARDS TO LOYAL SPANISH
MILITARY AND CIVILIANS. DUE TO THIS, PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF LAND
BECAME THE TREND DURING THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD.

FILIPINO FARMER
 WHEN THE AMERICANS TOOK OVER THE PHILIPPINES FROM SPAIN, 93
PERCENT OF THE COUNTRY'S LAND AREA WAS HELD BY THE AMERICAN
COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. GOVERNOR-GENERAL WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT
WANTED TO HAVE A LIBERAL POLICY THAT WOULD ALLOW A GOOD PORTION
OF THE LAND AREA TO BE SOLD OFF TO AMERICAN INVESTORS. WITH THIS,
THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS SET A LIMIT OF 16 HECTARES TO BE OWNED
BY AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS AND 1,024 HECTARES BY AMERICAN
CORPORATIONS THROUGH THE 1902 LAND ACT. MOREOVER, THE LAND
REGISTRATION ACT OF 1902 PROVIDED A COMPREHENSIVE REGISTRATION OF
LAND TITLES UNDER THE TORRENS SYSTEM. SUCH POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY
THE AMERICAN COLONIAL GOVERNMENT MADE LAND OWNERSHIP EXCLUSIVE
AND ENABLED FOREIGN ENTITIES TO OWN LAND DESPITE ANY CULTURAL
SYSTEMS THAT MANY INDIGENOUS GROUPS OF THE PHILIPPINES MAY
OBSERVE.

FILIPINO FARMER
 DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION, THE HUKBAHALAP
CONTROLLED WHOLE AREAS OF LUZON. LANDLORDS WHO
COLLABORATED WITH THE JAPANESE LOST THEIR LANDS TO
THE PEASANTS, AND THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THE HUKS
EARNED FIXED RENTALS FROM LAND WHICH FAVORED
TENANTS. THROUGH THE HUKBALAHAP, PEASANTS TENANTS
RECOGNIZED ABUSES FROM LANDOWNERS WHO DID NOT GIVE
THEM ENOUGH SHARES. THIS CAUSED MANY PEASANTS TO
TAKE UP S AND BE PART OF THE HUKBALAHAP.

FILIPINO FARMER
 DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION, THE HUKBAHALAP
CONTROLLED WHOLE AREAS OF LUZON. LANDLORDS WHO
COLLABORATED WITH THE JAPANESE LOST THEIR LANDS TO
THE PEASANTS, AND THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THE HUKS
EARNED FIXED RENTALS FROM LAND WHICH FAVORED
TENANTS. THROUGH THE HUKBALAHAP, PEASANTS TENANTS
RECOGNIZED ABUSES FROM LANDOWNERS WHO DID NOT GIVE
THEM ENOUGH SHARES. THIS CAUSED MANY PEASANTS TO
TAKE UP S AND BE PART OF THE HUKBALAHAP.

FILIPINO FARMER
IN A NATION THAT THRIVES FROM AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES,
LAND IS THE MOST VALUABLE FORM OF PROPERTY. AS SUCH,
VARIOUS FORMS OF SHARED TENANCY BETWEEN
LANDOWNERS AND TILLERS WERE CONCEPTUALIZED. THE
KASAMA SYSTEM IS THE MOST POPULAR FORM OF SHARED
TENANCY. IT IS AN INFORMAL AGREEMENT WHERE THE
LANDLORD OFFERS LAND, SEEDS, AND THE CASH NEEDED FOR
TRANSPLANTING AND HARVESTING CROPS WHILE THE
TENANT OR THE KASAMA OFFERS HIS CARABAO AND LABOR
FOR AN EQUAL SHARE OF THE YIELD.

FILIPINO FARMER
IN A NATION THAT THRIVES FROM AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES,
LAND IS THE MOST VALUABLE FORM OF PROPERTY. AS SUCH,
VARIOUS FORMS OF SHARED TENANCY BETWEEN
LANDOWNERS AND TILLERS WERE CONCEPTUALIZED. THE
KASAMA SYSTEM IS THE MOST POPULAR FORM OF SHARED
TENANCY. IT IS AN INFORMAL AGREEMENT WHERE THE
LANDLORD OFFERS LAND, SEEDS, AND THE CASH NEEDED FOR
TRANSPLANTING AND HARVESTING CROPS WHILE THE
TENANT OR THE KASAMA OFFERS HIS CARABAO AND LABOR
FOR AN EQUAL SHARE OF THE YIELD.

FILIPINO FARMER
 HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OF THE KASAMA SYSTEM TO FULLY
ADDRESS THE NEED FOR GENUINE AGRARIAN REFORM LED TO
THE RISE OF SOCIALIST MOVEMENTS THAT FURTHER
CONTRIBUTED TO AGRARIAN UNREST. THE RISE OF LOCAL
LANDLORDS TO POWER BECAME THE COMMON NORM AS THEY
CONTINUED TO EXERCISE THEIR DOMINANCE IN SECURING
CONTROL OVER THEIR RESOURCES. MATTERS BECAME WORSE
DURING THE AUTHORITARIAN RULE OF PRESIDENT
FERDINAND MARCOS, A DOMINANT LOCAL LANDLORD. THE
MARTIAL LAW PERIOD SAW THE RISE OF LAND GRABBING AND
AWARDING OF CONCESSIONS TO MARCOS CRONIES. SUCH
CORRUPTION HEIGHTENED THE CALL FOR A GENUINE
AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM.

FILIPINO FARMER
 WITH THE DOWNFALL OF THE MARCOS ADMINISTRATION,
DEMANDS. FOR AGRARIAN REFORM BECAME MORE PRESSING.
WHEN CORAZON AQUINO BECAME PRESIDENT, THE PUBLIC
HAD HIGH HOPES THAT EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO
FACILITATE A HISTORIC AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM. THE
AQUINO ADMINISTRATION WAS ABLE TO PASS THE
COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM LAW IN 1988, HERALDED
AS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF GOVERNMENT
LEGISLATION. THE LAW ESTABLISHES THE COMPREHENSIVE
AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM (CARP), KNOWN AS THE RESULT
OF CONGRESSIONAL HAGGLING AMONG LAWMAKERS,
LANDOWNERS, AND THE ADVOCATES OF LAND REFORM
(BELLO, 2014).

FILIPINO FARMER
 ACCORDING TO BELLO (2014), WITH A FRESH START
FOLLOWING THE DARK YEARS OF MARTIAL LAW, THE EDSA
PEOPLE POWER VESTED TO THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT THE
OPPORTUNITY TO FINALLY LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AND
TURN IT UPSIDE AGAIN. THE LEGISLATIVE POWER
CONFERRED TO PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO, BY VIRTUE OF
THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT, COULD HAVE
EMPOWERED HER TO QUICKLY IMPLEMENT A RADICAL
AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM, WHICH WOULD BE SUPPORTED
BY THE MIDDLE CLASS AND THE ELITE. NEVERTHELESS,
AQUINO OPTED TO LET CONGRESS DECIDE ON THE PROGRAM.

FILIPINO FARMER
 THE LANDED ELITE THAT ENJOYED THE HARVEST OF
CAPITALISM WOULD NEVER ALLOW A GENUINE LAW TO REAP
WHAT THEY DEEMED WAS FOR THEM. THIS SPELLED THE
FATE OF AGRARIAN REFORM IN THE PHILIPPINES, WITH
CONGRESS PERCEIVED TO HAVE HASTILY DRAFTED AND
PASSED A WEAK LAW TO CIRCUMVENT THE ISSUE.

FILIPINO FARMER
 IN 2018, AGRARIAN ISSUES CONTINUOUSLY PLAGUED
THE COUNTRY, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A
GENUINE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM IS STILL A
DREAM FOR FILIPINO FARMERS. ADMINISTRATIONS
AFTER AQUINO PROMISED TO FACILITATE AND SPEED
UP ACTUAL LAND REDISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS BUT TO
NO AVAIL.
THE FAILURE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH A
GENUINE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM CAN BE ROOTED
IN THE FACT THAT MANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
HAVE VESTED INTERESTS.

FILIPINO FARMER
 THEY DO NOT WANT TO REDISTRIBUTE LAND TO
FARMERS BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE CONNECTIONS
WITH THE LANDED ELITES. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO
INVENTORY OF THE ACTUAL LANDS THAT ARE
SUBJECTED TO THE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.
UNCONTESTED LANDS ARE EASILY DISTRIBUTABLE.
HOWEVER, CONTESTED LANDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE
PROTECTED BY THE LOCAL LANDED ELITE TO ENSURE
THAT THESE LANDS WILL NOT BE SUBJECTED TO ANY
AGRARIAN
REFORM PROGRAM.

FILIPINO FARMER
THANK
YOU