History of

Agrarian Reform

By: Nicole Jenne C. Tan

BS Biology Premed-4C
West Visayas State University
Objectives:

1. To teach us valuable lessons and give us a picture

of the colorful accounts of how our people and our
nation struggled throughout the years to redeem in
all sincerity the promise of a land reform.
2. To answer questions regarding how land ownership
evolved.
3. To answer questions regarding how agrarian
reform started.
 Pre-Colonial Times
(Before 16th Century)
Pre-Colonial Times
(Before 16th Century)

WHAT WAS THE TYPE OF LAND OWNERSHIP

DURING THE PRE-SPANISH TIME?
Land was commonly owned by the community known
as barangay.
Everyone in the barangay regardless of status had
access on the land and mutually shares resources and
the fruits of their labor.
They believed in and practiced the concept of
stewardship where relationship between man and
nature is important.
Pre-Colonial Times
(Before 16th Century)

WHAT WAS THE SYSTEM OF LAND CULTIVATION DURING

THIS TIME?
Land cultivation was done commonly by kaingin system or the slash
and burn method.

WHAT WAS THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM DURING THIS

PERIOD?
Food production was intended for family consumption only. Later,
neighboring communities where engaged in a barter trade,
exchanging their goods with others. Some even traded their
agricultural products with luxury items of some foreign traders like
Chinese, Arabs and Europeans.
Pre-Colonial Times
(Before 16th Century)

WAS LEASING AND SELLING OF LANDS EXERCISED

DURING THIS PERIOD?
The Maragtas Code seems to be the only recorded transaction of
land sale during this time. This tells us about the selling of the
Panay Island by the natives to the ten Bornean datus in exchange
of a golden salakot and a long gold necklace.

Although the Code of Luwaran was one of the oldest written laws
of the Muslim society which contains provision on the lease of
cultivated lands, there was no record how this lease arrangement
was practiced.
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
WHAT WAS THE SYSTEM OF LAND
CULTIVATION AT THIS PERIOD?
The colonial government at this period
introduced a pueblo agriculture, a system
wherein native rural communities were organized
into pueblo and each Christianized native family
is given a four to five hectares of land to cultivate.
The pueblo agriculture practiced no share
cropper class or landless class.
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
WERE THE NATIVE FAMILIES ALLOWED TO OWN A LAND?
NO. The native families were merely landholders and not
landowners.

HOW DID AGRICULTURAL TENANCY ORIGINATE?

Through the Laws of the Indies, the Spanish crown awarded vast
tracts of land
to wit:
Friar lands for the religious orders;
Repartiamentos for lands granted to the Spanish
military as a reward for their service; and
Encomienda a large tracts of land given to Spaniards
(encomiendero) t o manage and have the right to
receive tributes from the natives tilling it
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
HOW DID THE HACIENDA SYSTEM EVOLVE?
At the beginning of the 19th century, the
Philippines as a colony of Spain implemented
policies that would mainstream the country into
the world of capitalism.
The economy was opened to the world market as
exporter of raw materials and importer of finished
goods.
The agricultural exports were mandated and
hacienda system was developed as a new form of
ownership.
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS
ENCOUNTERED IN THE ENCOMIENDA SYSTEM?
Abusive encomienderos collected more tributes that
became the land rentals from the natives living in the area.
A compras y vandalas system was practiced wherein tillers
were made to compulsory sell at a very low price or
surrender their agricultural harvests to Spanish authorities
where encomienderos can resell it for a profit.
People of the encomiendas were also required to render
personal services on public and religious work and as a
household help to the encomienderos.
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
WHY WAS THE OWNERSHIP OF LAND
LIMITED TO ONLY FEW FAMILIES?
The Spanish crown made a law in 1865 ordering
landholders to register their landholdings.
Only those who were aware of these decrees
benefited. Ancestral lands were claimed and
registered in other peoples names.
As a result, many peasant families were driven
out from the lands they have been cultivating for
centuries or were forced to become tillers.
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
WHAT LAWS REQUIRED THE REGISTRATION
OF PROPERTIES/AGRICULTURAL LANDS?
The Ley Hipotecaria or the Mortgage Law of 1893
provided the systematic registration of titles and
deeds as well as ownership claims.
The Maura Law or Royal Decree of 1894 was the
last Spanish Land Law promulgated in the
Philippines.
Farmers and landholders were given one year
to register their agricultural lands to avoid
declaration of it as a state property.
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE REVOLUTIONARY HIGHLIGHTS
THAT OCCURRED DURING THIS PERIOD?
As more tillers were abused, exploited
and deprived of their rights, the revolution
of peasants and farmers in 1896 articulated
their aspirations for agrarian reform and for
a just society. Women also fought for
freedom and played an important role in the
planning and implementing the activities of
the revolutionary movements.
Spanish Era
(1521-1896)
DID THE REVOLT ADDRESS THE
PROBLEM OF LAND OWNERSHIP?
Yes. The revolutionary government
confiscated the large landed estates,
especially the friar lands and declared
these as properties of the government.
(Malolos Constitution, 1896, Article
XVII)
AMERICAN ERA
(1898-1935)
AMERICAN ERA
(1898-1935)
WHAT INITIATED THE AMERICANS TO FOCUS ON LAND REFORM?
The Americans sought to put an end to the miserable conditions of
the tenant tillers and small farmers by passing several land policies
to widen the base of small landholdings and distribute land
ownership among the greater number of Filipino tenants and
farmers.
WHAT WAS PHILIPPINE BILL OF 1902?
This law provided regulations on the disposal of public lands
wherein a private individual can own 16 hectares of land while the
corporate land holdings can avail of 1, 024 hectares. This also gave
the rights to the Americans to own agricultural lands.
AMERICAN ERA
(1898-1935)
WHY WAS THE TORRENS SYSTEM OF LAND REGISTRATION
INTRODUCED?
Some 400,000 native farmers were without titles at the start of the
American era, this situation was also aggravated by the absence of
records of issued titles and accurate land surveys. To remedy the
situation, the Torrens system was then introduced to replace the
registration system implemented by the Spaniards.
WHAT GOVERNED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAID SYSTEM?
The Land Registration Act of 1902 or Act. No. 496 placed all private
and public lands under Torrens system. The Cadastral Act or Act. No.
2259 speeds up the issuance of Torrens titles. This was done by
surveying a municipality and presented the result to the land
registration court.
AMERICAN ERA
(1898-1935)
WHAT WAS THE HOMESTEAD PROGRAM OF 1903?
This program allowed an enterprising tenant to acquire a farm of at
least 16 hectares to cultivate.

WERE THERE OTHER AGRARIAN LAWS INTRODUCED BY THE

AMERICANS ASIDE FROM THE TORRENS SYSTEM?
First Public Land Act or Act No. 926 provided rules and regulations
for selling and leasing portions of the public domain, completing defective
Spanish land titles, and canceling and confirming Spanish concessions.
Second Public Land Act of 1919 or Act 2874 limits the use of
agricultural lands to Filipinos, Americans and citizens of other countries.
AMERICAN ERA
(1898-1935)
WERE THERE OTHER AGRARIAN LAWS INTRODUCED BY THE
AMERICANS ASIDE FROM THE TORRENS SYSTEM? (CONT)
Act. No. 141 amended the Second Public Act of 1919 or Act No. 2874. A
temporary provision of equality on the rights of American and Filipino citizens and
corporations. It also compiled all pre-existing laws relative to public lands into a
single instrument.
Friar Land Act or Act. No. 1120 provided the administrative and
temporary leasing and selling of friar lands to its tillers.
Rice Share Tenancy Act of 1933 or Act. No. 4054, first legislation
regulating the relationships of landlord and tenants and the first law to legalize a
50-50 crop sharing arrangement.
Sugarcane Tenancy Contracts Act of 1933 or Act No. 4113 regulated
the relationship of landlord and tenants in the sugarcane fields and required
tenancy contracts on land planted to sugarcane.
AMERICAN ERA
(1898-1935)
DID THESE LAND POLICIES HELP THE FARMERS SITUATION?
No. It further worsened the land ownership situation, wherein there
was no limit on the size of landholdings one could possess. Landholdings were
once again concentrated in the hands of fewer individuals who can afford to buy,
register, and acquire fixed titles of their properties.

HOW DID THE PEASANT GROUPS REACT TO THIS SITUATION?

There were widespread peasant uprisings, headed by the armed
peasants groups known as Colorum and Sakdalista of Luzon and Northeastern
Mindanao respectively. These uprisings resulted to social disorder in 1920s and
1930s. Hence, more militant peasants and workers organizations bonded
together for a more collective action against the abuses of landlords and unjust
landownership situation. This gave birth to the Communist Party of the
Philippines.
Commonwealth Years
(1935-1942)
 Commonwealth Years
(1935-1942)
WHAT WERE THE TENANCY AND LAND OWNERSHIP SITUATION DURING THIS
PERIOD?
Contrasting economic and political lifestyle between tenant and the landlord
became very common.
Absentee landowners increased.
A small plot of land cultivated by an average peasant farmer could not sustain a
decent living for the family.
Tenants and farmers shouldered excessive fines, unfair taxation and usury.
Systems for credit and marketing of rice were lacking thus, farmers received a very
Manuel L. Quezons inauguration low selling price.
Peasant uprising became widespread all over the country.
 Commonwealth Years
(1935-1942)
WHAT WAS THE GOVERNMENTS INITIAL RESPONSE TO THESE CHALLENGES?
The government under the stewardship of President Quezon
realized that land reform programs should be implemented
immediately. They saw the purchase of friar lands as a possible way
to solve the problem of inequitable land ownership. They also saw
that the Homestead program could be transformed into a massive
resettlement program, if properly implemented.

Manuel L. Quezons inauguration

JAPANESE ERA
JAPANESE ERA

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS RELATED TO

AGRARIAN REFORM DURING THE JAPANESE ERA?
During this occupation, peasants and workers organized the
HUKBALAHAP (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon) on March 29,
1942 as an anti-Japanese group. They took over vast tracts of land
and gave the land and harvest to the people.
For them, the war was a golden opportunity for peoples
initiative to push pro-poor programs. Landlords were overpowered
by the peasants but unfortunately at the end of the war, through the
help of the military police and civilian guards landlords were able to
retrieve their lands from the HUKBALAHAP.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Manuel L. Quezon
(1935-1944)
Manuel L. Quezon (1935-1944)

WHAT WERE THE LAWS ON AR ENACTED DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION?

RA 4054 or the Rice Tenancy Law was the first law on crop sharing which legalized
the 50-50 share between landlord and tenant with corresponding support to
tenants protecting them against abuses of landlords.
The 1935 Constitution , provided specific provisions on social justice and
expropriation of landed estates for distribution to tenants as a solution to the land
ownership and tenancy problems.
Commonwealth Act No. 461 specified that dismissal of a tenant should first have the
approval of Tenancy Division of the Department of Justice.
Commonwealth Act No. 608 was enacted to establish security of tenure between
landlord and tenant.
Manuel L. Quezon (1935-1944)

WHAT WAS HIS PROGRAM ON LAND REFORM?

National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARICC)
assigning public defenders to assist peasants in court battles for their rights to
till the land
The Court of Industrial Relations (CIR)
Rice Tenancy Act (Act No. 4054) was amended
The Homestead Program continued through the creation of the National Land
Settlement Administration (CA No. 441) and tenancy problems were covered
through CA Nos. 461 and 608.
Manuel L. Quezon (1935-1944)

WHAT HINDERED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAND REFORM UNDER HIS

ADMINISTRATION?
Budget allocation for the settlement program made it impossible for the
program to succeed.
Most landlords did not comply with the Rice Share Tenancy Act.
Widespread peasant uprising against abusive landlords continued.
The outbreak of the World War II put a stopped to the landownership and
tenancy interventions during this period.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Manuel Roxas (1946-1948)

Manuel Roxas (1946-1948)

WHAT WERE THE INTERVENTIONS MADE BY THIS ADMINISTRATION RELATED TO

LAND REFORM?
Republic Act No. 34 was enacted to establish a 70-30 sharing arrangement
between tenant and landlord.
It also reduced the interest of landowners loans to tenants at not more than
6%.
He negotiated for the purchase of 8,000 hectares of lands in Batangas owned by
the Ayala-Zobel family.
Due to lack of support facilities, these farmers were forced to resell their lands
to the landowning class.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Elpidio Quirino
(1948-1953)
Elpidio Quirino
(1948-1953)

WHAT WAS THE MAJOR PROGRAM OF THE QUIRINO ADMINISTRATION

REGARDING AGRARIAN REFORM?
Through Executive Order No. 355, the Land Settlement
Development Corporation (LASEDECO) was established to
accelerate and expand the peasant resettlement program of the
government. However, due to limited post-war resources, the
program was not successful.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Ramon Magsaysay
(1953-1957)
Ramon Magsaysay
(1953-1957)
DID PRESIDENT MAGSAYSAY PURSUE LAND REFORM DURING HIS TERM?
Yes, President Magsaysay realized the importance of pursuing a more
honest-to-goodness land reform program. He convinced the elite controlled
congress to pass several legislation to improve the land reform situation, to wit:
R.A. No. 1199 (1954): Agricultural Tenancy Act basically governed the relationship
between landholders and tenant-farmers.
R.A. No. 1160 (1954): Free distribution of Resettlement and Rehabilitation and
Agricultural land and an Act establishing the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Administration (NARRA).
R.A. No. 1400 (1955) : Land Reform Act or known as Land to the Landless Program.
R.A. No. 1266 (1955) Expropriation of Hacienda del Rosario, situated at Valdefuente,
Cabanatuan City
Ramon Magsaysay
(1953-1957)
HOW DID HE IMPLEMENT THE AGRICULTURAL TENANCY ACT?
He established the Court of Agricultural Relations In 1955
He also created the Agricultural Tenancy Commission
WHAT WERE THIS ADMINISTRATIONS KEY SUPPORT PROGRAMS ON AR?
Under this administration the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing
Administration (ACCFA) was created.
Established the organization of the Farmers Cooperatives and Marketing Associations
(FACOMAs).
With the passing of RA 1160 OF 1954, President Magsaysay pursued the resettlement
program through the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration
(NARRA).
This administration spearheaded the establishment of the Agricultural andIndustrial
Bank to provide easier terms in applying for homestead and other farmland.
Ramon Magsaysay
(1953-1957)
DID THESE INTERVENTIONS IMPROVE THE LAND OWNERSHIP
AND TENANCY SITUATION?
Out of the targeted 300 haciendas for distribution, only
41 were distributed after its 7 years of implementation. This
was due to lack of funds and inadequate support services
provided for these programs.
Landlords continued to be uncooperative and critical to
the program; and landownership and tenancy problems
continued.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Carlos P. Garcia
(1957-1961)
Carlos P. Garcia (1957-1961)

WAS THERE LEGISLATION ON LAND REFORM UNDER THIS

ADMINISTRATION?
There was no legislation passed in his term but he
continued to implement the land reform programs of President
Magsaysay.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Diosdasdo Macapagal
(1961-1965)
Diosdasdo Macapagal
(1961-1965)

WHY PRESIDENT DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL WAS CONSIDERED THE FATHER OF

AGRARIAN REFORM?
It was during his term that the Agricultural Land Reform Code or RA
No. 3844 was enacted on August 8, 1963.
WHY WAS RA NO. 3844 CONSIDERED THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE PIECE OF
LEGISLATION EVER ENACTED IN THE PHILIPPINES?
This Act abolished share tenancy in the Philippines.
It aimed to free tenants from the bondage of tenancy and gave hope to poor
Filipino farmers to own the land they are tilling.
It emphasized owner-cultivatorship and farmer independence, equity,
productivity improvement and the public distribution of land.
Diosdasdo Macapagal
(1961-1965)

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT?

The landed Congress did not provide effort to come up
with a separate bill to provide funding for its implementation.
However, this act was piloted in the provinces of
Pangasinan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Occidental
Mindoro, Camarines Sur and Misamis Oriental.
It acquired a total of 18,247.06 hectares or 99.29% out of
the total scope of 18,377.05 hectares. The program benefited
7,466 Farmer Beneficiaries. (BLAD-DAR Official Records)
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Ferdinand E. Marcos
(1965-1986)
Ferdinand E. Marcos
(1965-1986)
WHAT WAS THE HEART OF PRESIDENT MARCOS AGRARIAN REFORM
PROGRAM?
Presidential Decree No. 27 became the heart of the Marcos reform. It
provided for tenanted lands devoted to rice and corn to pass ownership to the
tenants, and lowered the ceilings for landholdings to 7 hectares.
The law stipulated that share tenants who worked from a landholding
of over 7 hectares could purchase the land they tilled, while share tenants on
land less than 7 hectares would become leaseholders.
Ferdinand E. Marcos
(1965-1986)
HOW DID THIS AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM HELP THE
FARMERS?
This agrarian reform program was designed to uplift the
farmers from poverty and ignorance and to make them useful,
dignified, responsible and progressive partners in nation-building.
This AR program was a package of services extended to
farmers in the form of credit support, infrastructure, farm
extension, legal assistance, electrification and development of
rural institutions.
Ferdinand E. Marcos
(1965-1986)
WHAT WERE THE FIVE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF
PRESIDENT MARCOS AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM?
Land Tenure Program
Institutional Development
Physical Development
Agricultural Development ; and
Human Resources
Ferdinand E. Marcos
(1965-1986)
WHY PRESIDENT MARCOS AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM WAS
LABELED AS REVOLUTIONARY BY SOME SECTORS?
It was considered revolutionary for two reasons:

1. It was pursued under Martial Law and intended to make quick

changes without going through legislative or technical
processes; and
2. It was the only law in the Philippines ever done in
handwriting.
Ferdinand E. Marcos
(1965-1986)
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HIS AGRARIAN
REFORM PROGRAM?
Scope of program was limited only to tenanted, privately-owned rice
and corn lands;
Monopoly of businessmen in the coconut and sugar industries.
Foreign and local firms were allowed to use large tracks of land for their
business;
Declaration of Martial Law leading to the arrest of several farmer leaders
without due process of law due to suspension of the Writ of Habeas
Corpus.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Corazon C. Aquino
(1986-1992)
Corazon C. Aquino
(1986-1992)
WHAT ARE THE AR LEGISLATIONS AND ISSUANCES PASSED UNDER THIS
ADMINISTRATION?
Proclamation 131
Instituted the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP) as a major program of the government. It provided for a special fund
known as the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) in the amount of 50 Billion pesos to
cover the estimated cost of the program for the period 1987-1997.
EO 129-A
Reorganized the Department of Agrarian Reform and
expanded in power and operations.
Corazon C. Aquino
(1986-1992)
EO 228
Declared full ownership of the land to qualified farmer-
beneficiaries covered by PD 27. It also regulated (fixed) the value of remaining rice
and corn lands for coverage provided for the manner of payment by the farmer
beneficiaries and the mode of compensation (form of payment) to the landowners.
EO 229
Provided the administrative processes for land registration or
LISTASAKA program, acquisition of private land and compensation procedures for
landowners. It specified the structure and functions of units that will coordinate
and supervise the implementation of the program.
RA 6657 or Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law
An act instituting a comprehensive agrarian reform program to
promote social justice and Industrialization, providing the mechanism for its
implementation and for other purposes.
Corazon C. Aquino
(1986-1992)
WERE THERE MEASURES TO SPEED UP CARP IMPLEMENTATION?
E.O. No. 405
Gave the Land Bank of the Philippines the primary responsibility
for the land valuation function in order for DAR to concentrate its efforts
on the identification of landholdings and beneficiaries, the distribution of
acquired lands, and the other sub-components of the program.
E.O. No. 406
Emphasized that CARP is central to the governments efforts to
hasten countryside agro-industrial development and directed the
implementing agencies to align their respective programs and projects
with CARP.
Corazon C. Aquino
(1986-1992)
E.O. No. 407
Directed all government financing institutions (GFIs) and
government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to immediately
transfer to DAR all their landholdings suitable for agriculture.

E.O. No. 448

Pursued the policy that government should lead efforts in placing
lands for coverage under CARP. It directed the immediate turn-over of
government reservations, no longer needed, that are suitable for
agriculture.
Corazon C. Aquino
(1986-1992)
WHAT WERE THE OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE AQUINO
ADMINISTRATION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGRARIAN REFORM
PROGRAM?
Grants and budgetary support from official development assistance
(ODA) circles poured in during this administration.
Its during this administration that the present adjudication system was
introduced.
Livelihood and agro-industrial projects promoted and program of
support services were intensified to help farmer beneficiaries become
productive and transform them into entrepreneurs.
Corazon C. Aquino
(1986-1992)
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY THE ADMINISTRATION
IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CARP?
Various challenges faced this administration in the
implementation of CARP. Example is on land valuation. One very specific
case is the Garchitorena land scam. There were also issues on the absence
of a clear cut guideline that would answer problems on land use
conversion. Minimal efforts were exerted to discouraged and/or prevent
conversion of lands into other use.
Despite the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), this administration
experienced a major budgetary shortfall due to low remittances from the
Asset Privatization Trust and the Presidential Commission on Good
Government.
Corazon C. Aquino
(1986-1992)

This administration also experienced constant changes in DAR

leadership. This led to lack of continuity of priority, programs and projects.

Allegation on lack of political wills leadership and genuine

commitment to implement the program. Critics say that the President
could have implemented a genuine agrarian reform program because of
her revolutionary powers after People Power I.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998)
Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998)
WHAT WERE THE KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS
ADMINISTRATION?
The Ramos administration is recognized for bringing
back support of key stakeholders of CARP by bridging certain
policy gaps on land acquisition and distribution, land valuation,
and case resolution. It is also credited for enhancing internal
operating systems and strengthening the capabilities of the
DAR bureaucracy. This administration is also credited for
tapping more resources to help implement the program.
Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998)
WHAT WAS DONE TO FACILITATE LAND DISTRIBUTION?
DAR AO No. 2 (1992)
Rules and procedures governing the distribution of cancelled or expired
pasture lease agreements and Timber License Agreements under EO 407.

DAR AO No. 1 (1993)

Amending certain provisions of Administrative Order No. 9 Series of 1990,
entitled Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Acquisition of Agricultural
Lands Subject of Voluntary Offer to Sell and Compulsory Acquisition Pursuant to RA
6657.
Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998)
Joint DAR-LBP AO No. 3 (1994)
Policy guidelines and procedures governing the acquisition and
distribution of agricultural lands affected by Mt. Pinatubo eruption.
DAR AO No. 1 (1995)
Rules and procedures Governing the Acquisition and Distribution
of all Agricultural Lands Subject of Sequestration/Acquisition by the PCGG
and APT whose ownership in Under Court Litigation.
DAR AO No. 2 (1995)
Revised rules and procedures Governing the Acquisition of Private
Agricultural Lands Subject of Voluntary Land Transfer or a Direct Payment
Scheme (VLT/DPS) Pursuant to RA 6657.
Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998)
DAR AO No. 2 (1996)
Rules and regulations Governing the Acquisition of Agricultural
Lands subject of Voluntary Offer to Sell and Compulsory Acquisition Pursuant
to RA 6657.
DAR AO No. 2 (1997)
Rules and regulations for the Acquisition of Private Agricultural
Lands Subject of Mortgage or Foreclosure of Mortgage.
DAR AO No. 8 (1997)
Revised guidelines on the Acquisition and Distribution of
Compensable Agricultural Lands under VLT/Direct Payment Scheme.
Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998)

DAR MC No. 7 (1993)

Implementing guidelines on the Distribution and Tilling of the
Public Agricultural Lands turned over by the National Livelihood and
support Fund to the DAR for distribution under the CARP pursuant to EO
407, Series of 1990 as amended by EO 448, Series of 1991 and as clarified
under Memorandum Order No. 107 of the President of the Philippines
dated March 23, 1993.
Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998)
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF THE RAMOS
ADMINISTRATION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CARP?
Failure in enforcing the installation of some farmer beneficiaries on
awarded lands became an issue for this administration.
Some sectors also complained on the slowness of this administration in
the acquisition and distribution of privately owned lands.
Although this administration was credited for having the biggest
accomplishment in terms of LAD, Critics say this is because the land
acquired and distributed were more on public lands and rice and corn
lands.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Joseph Ejercito Estrada

(1998-2001)
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
(1998-2001)

WHAT WAS THE CONCEPT OF THE MAGKABALIKAT PARA SA

KAUNLARANG AGRARYO (MAGKASAKA) WHICH WAS
LAUNCHED UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION?
The concept was for investors to bring in capital,
technology and management support while the farmers will
contribute, at most, the use of their land itself.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
(1998-2001)

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE MAGKASAKA?

Encourage investors to bring investments into the countryside
Enhance the income of the farmers through joint venture schemes and contract
growing schemes. The program shall enable farmers to be more efficient and
globally competitive.
WHAT WERE THE OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION
REGARDING CARP?
Rework performance targets by focusing on the number of hectares of
land distributed coupled with an accounting of farmer beneficiaries and
the specific croplands and farm systems covered.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
(1998-2001)

DAR also helped set up the agrarian justice fund for farmer beneficiaries
as well as DAR field workers who, due to the nature of the job, are named
as respondents in cases filed by recalcitrant landowners.
Has forged alliances among countries implementing AR through the
International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development.
DAR was able to secure a seat in the annual consultative group meeting
between the Philippiness economic management team and the donor
community. This period also, launched the DAR-DA-DENR convergence
initiative.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
(1998-2001)

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE HINDRANCES DURING THIS

ADMINISTRATION IN CARP IMPLEMENTATION?
Fiscal constraints encountered by this administration
resulted to unpaid or delayed payment of landowners covered
under the compulsory acquisition and VOS schemes.
There were also issues on inter and intra ARBs conflicts
due to arguments for control over negotiations with prospective
joint venture partners, some of which became violent.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

(2001 2010)
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
(2001 2010)
WHAT WAS THE IMPLEMENTING FRAMEWORK FOR CARP
UNDER THE GMA ADMINISTRATION?
The GMA administration has adopted the BAYAN-
ANIHAN concept as the implementing framework for CARP.
Bayan means people, Anihan means harvest and
Bayanihan means working together. Applied to CARP, Bayan-
Anihan means a united people working together for the
successful implementation of agrarian reform.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
(2001 2010)
WHAT WAS THE PROGRAM STRATEGY OF THE DAR IN CARP
IMPLEMENTATION DURING THE ARROYO ADMINISTRATION?

The Kapit-Bisig sa Kahirapan Agrarian Reform Zones (KARZONEs)

is a partnership and convergence strategy aimed at achieving asset reform ,
poverty reduction, food sufficiency, farm productivity, good governance,
social equity and empowerment of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs)
both in ARCs and non-ARCs.
Kabayanihan or the Konsehong Bayan Para sa Anihan
Kamalayan
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
(2001 2010)
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES OF THE BAYAN-ANIHAN
FRAMEWORK?
Salin-Lupa: Accelerating land transfer and improving land tenure.
Katarungan : Prompt and fair settlement of agrarian disputes and delivery of agrarian
reform justice.
Bayanihan : Better delivery by the government of appropriate support services to ARBs
and the mobilization of the ARBs themselves in the transformation of the agrarian
reform communities into an agrarian reform zones and into progressive farming.
Kabayanihan or the Konsehong Bayan Para sa Anihan : Institutionalization not only of
the system of dialogue and consultation but also joint problem solving with AR
stakeholders, particularly peoples organizations, cooperatives and NGOs.
Kamalayan : Raising the awareness of DAR personnel, agrarian reform beneficiaries and
the general public on agrarian reform and its contribution to social justice and
development.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
(2001 2010)
WHAT ARE THE OTHER SPECIFIC PROGRAMS OF THIS
ADMINISTRATION TO ENHANCE CARP IMPLEMENTATION?
With the Gulayan Magsasakang Agraryo., additional income
and food security to farmers and their communities were provided.
Educational opportunities were ushered in to farmers children and
dependents through the Diosdado-Macapagal Scholar Program.
This administration is also credited in heightening agrarian
case resolution by introducing a quota system to compel
adjudicators to work faster on agrarian cases and train farmers into
paralegals.
Government Initiatives
on Agrarian Reform

Benigno C. Aquino
(20102016)
Benigno C. Aquino
(20102016)

WHAT IS THE IMPLEMENTING FRAMEWORK OF CARP UNDER

PRESIDENT B. AQUINOS ADMINISTRATION?
Under the governance of President Aquino, the DAR
which is the lead agency for CARP implementation is bent on
sustaining the gains of agrarian reform through its three
major components Land Tenure Improvement (LTI), Program
Beneficiaries Development (PBD) and Agrarian Justice
Delivery (AJD).
Benigno C. Aquino
(20102016)

WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR THE LAND TENURE

IMPROVEMENT (LTI)?
To substantially complete asset reform as mandated by RA9700, the DAR is
currently:
1. Completing the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) in the CARPER
balance through:
Focus on large-sized private agricultural lands;
Redeployment of competent DAR personnel to the 20 high LAD provinces;
Streamline LAD processes and procedures; and
Enhance the database of landholdings for ease in targeting and monitoring
the LAD;
Benigno C. Aquino
(20102016)
2. Prioritizing the subdivision of collective Certificates of Land
Ownership Awards (CLOAs) involving LBP-compensable lands;
3. Fast tracking the documentation and settlement of landowner
compensation for already distributed lands;
4. Synergizing and rationalizing the efforts of the CARP
implementing agencies in all processes of LAD;
5. Partnering with the civil society organizations (CSOs) in the
delivery of LTI services, particularly the large-sized private
agricultural lands (PAL);
Benigno C. Aquino
(20102016)

6. Adopting a job-sharing scheme wherein under the ONE-DAR concept,

provinces will share responsibilities (low-LAD provinces with high LAD
provinces) to minimize the need to hire new personnel; and
7. Increasing the utilization of the services of geodetic engineers to assist
the provincial and municipal offices in land acquisition considering the
difficulty of hiring new personnel and the demands of a post-2014
scenario.
Benigno C. Aquino
(20102016)
WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES
DEVELOPMENT (PBD)?
1. Undertaking convergence initiatives with rural development agencies
to complement the resources and streamline the efforts of DAR, DA
and DENR;
2. Inking public-private partnerships (PPPs) develop models of
collaboration and business models in AR areas with the participations
of the CSOs, academe, research and development institutions and
LGUs;
3. Expanding official development assistance (ODA) portfolio in order to
augment incomes for PBD;
Benigno C. Aquino
(20102016)

4. Integrating LTI and PBD on a province-to-province basis;

5. Shifting focus of low-LAD balance provinces to PBD; and
6. Unlocking credit facilities for the agrarian reform
beneficiaries through capacity development for credit
providers and farmer-borrowers.
Benigno C. Aquino
(20102016)
WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR AGRARIAN JUSTICE
DELIVERY (AJD) UNDER THE PRESENT DAR GOVERNANCE?
1. Putting the legal framework in place to expedite the LAD process and
undertake PBD lawyering to ensure ARBs free and informed consent
on agribusiness agreements;
2. Developing common templates and legal outlines in order to
rationalize the DAR lawyers and paralegals appreciation and decision
on cases;
3. Improving the capabilities of DAR lawyers and legal officers; and
4. Utilizing information, communication technology (ICT) to enhance
legal work.
Rodrigo Duterte
(2016-Present)
WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS OF AGRARIAN REFORM IN THE DUTERTE
ADMINISTRATION?
Putzel met with Mariano and suggested that during his term as DAR
chief, he may prioritize the following three areas during his term:
1. Complete the Hacienda Luisita land distribution program.
2. Attack squarely the CARP beneficiaries amortization arrears.
3. Cover immediately the big land cases that have not been covered
by CARP and CARPer