Philippine About

The agrarian reforms in the Philippines not only contribute towards accelerating the productivity of agricultural sector in the country but also promote the agro based industries and thus contributing towards rural development.

Evolution of the law regarding agrarian reforms in Philippines

The original idea of starting land reform programs in the country of the Philippines began back in 1963. The Republican Act (RA) 3844 section 49 also better known as the Agricultural Land Reform Code put stress on founding an organization called Land Authority. The Land Authority was established on the 8th August 1963 and was given the responsibility of implementing the policies of the Republican Act 3844. In order to speed up other activities associated with land reform programs, the RA 3844 offered an official recognition to the existing agencies working in a similar area. The work responsibilities of these agencies were re-designed and the aim was to complete the common objectives in land reform programs.

In one of the recent developments, Executive Order No 456 was signed in 2005 by President Arroyo. This commanded the Land Reform department to go back to the original name of Department of Agrarian Reform. The main objective of the Executive Order 456 was to achieve something more than just reforming the agrarian land. The specific order took into consideration all important factors for promoting all beneficial activities which could lead to the economic upliftment of rural Philippines and particularly the agricultural sector and peasant class people.

Effects of Agrarian Reforms

Lack of symmetry in land allocation continued to persist despite the agrarian reforms in the Philippines agricultural sector. The existing relationship between peasants and landlords remained the same despite these efforts. There was no liberalization of this relationship and it stayed feudal in its nature. The ownership of agricultural land remained in the hands of the powerful landlords. This happened basically because of the narrow mindedness of landlords who displayed more interest in controlling the use of their plots instead of achieving a rise in productivity.

When the major part of the land was under the control of landlords, they used to rent out the lands to farmers. This resulted in tenancy rates in Philippines being between 50-70%. These landlords were like monopolies in the Philippines and they gathered enormous wealth and power and thereby pushing the peasant class to poverty.
The situation actually improved considerably when the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) was passed. It was also called Republic Act 6653. A major portion of $1.92 billion funds was utilized for land reforms. However the development was slow in allocating the land to the peasants but it was finally successful in allocation of 2.56 million hectors to the landless.