Historical Narrative of Landlord- Tenant’s Contract and Property of A.

G 1988 in Labo

Camarines Norte

INTRODUCTION

The Philippines is a country with a long history of agricultural production. For many years,

landlords have held vast tracts of land while tenant farmers have struggled to make ends meet.

This situation led to social unrest and rebellion, particularly during the Martial Law period under

the Marcos regime. The situation was further exacerbated by the unequal distribution of wealth

and power in the country, where the elite class controlled most of the resources and political

power.

In 1986, the People Power Revolution brought about a new government that pledged to address

the issue of land reform. The new administration passed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform

Law (CARL) in 1988, which aimed to distribute agricultural land to farmers and promote rural

development. The law mandated the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to implement the

program. The implementation of CARL was not without challenges. Landowners resisted the

program, and some even resorted to violence to keep their lands. In some cases, the distribution

of land was delayed due to legal challenges or bureaucratic red tape. The implementation of

agrarian reform in the Philippines has been a complex and difficult process that has taken several

decades to unfold. This historical research focuses on the landlord-tenant contract and property

ownership during the period of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines Norte, specifically from

1986 to 1992. Labo is a fourth-class municipality located in the northern part of Camarines
Norte, with a population of about 69,000 people. The town is predominantly agricultural, with

rice, corn, and coconut as the main crops. The area was chosen for the study because of its

strategic location and its relevance to the larger discourse on agrarian reform in the Philippines.

During the period under study, the DAR implemented CARP in Labo, and hundreds of hectares

of agricultural land were distributed to farmer-beneficiaries. The study draws on primary sources

such as government documents, newspaper articles, and interviews with stakeholders involved in

the implementation of agrarian reform in Labo. Secondary sources are also utilized to provide

context and insights into the broader historical context of agrarian reform in the Philippines. The

research seeks to shed light on the successes and challenges of agrarian reform in Labo. By

examining the landlord-tenant contract and property ownership in the area during this period, the

study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how agrarian reform played out in a specific

context. The research will also contribute to the broader understanding of the complex history of

agrarian reform in the Philippines.

To support this research, the Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) history of agrarian reform

will be used. The DAR's documents on land distribution in Labo will also be analyzed to provide

a comprehensive view of the process. In addition, a JSTOR article on agrarian reform in the

Philippines will be used to provide a broader historical context. A report on agrarian reform and

its impact on peace in the Philippine countryside by ReliefWeb will also be examined to provide

insights into the social and political implications of the program. The research will also draw on

theoretical frameworks from the fields of sociology, political science, and anthropology to

provide a more nuanced understanding of the social dynamics at play in the implementation of

agrarian reform. The theoretical frameworks will be used to analyze the power relations between
landlords and tenants, the role of the state in implementing agrarian reform, and the social and

political implications of the program.

Overall, this historical research aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation on agrarian

reform in the Philippines. By examining the case of Labo, Camarines Norte, the study seeks to

provide a microcosm of the larger struggle for land and social justice in the country. The

research will also shed light on the social and political implications of agrarian reform and its

impact on the lives of farmers and other stakeholders. Through this study, we hope to gain a

deeper understanding of the challenges and successes of implementing agrarian reform in a

specific context and to draw insights that can be applied to other areas in the Philippines and

beyond. Ultimately, the research aims to contribute to the larger goal of creating a more

equitable and just society.

Statement of the Problem

1.What were the dynamics of the landlord-tenant contract and property ownership during the

period of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines Norte, from 1986 to 1992?

2.What were the challenges faced in the implementation of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines

Norte during the same period?

3.What were the social and political implications of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines Norte

during the period under study?

Objectives

To examine the dynamics of the landlord-tenant contract and property ownership during the

period of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines Norte, from 1986 to 1992.

To identify the challenges faced in the implementation of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines

Norte during the same period.

To analyze the social and political implications of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines Norte

during the period under study.

Definition of Terms

Agricultural production- the cultivation and harvesting of crops and the raising of livestock for

food, fuel, and other products.

Landlords- owners of land who lease or rent it to others for use or occupation.

Tenant farmers- individuals or families who farm land owned by others, paying rent in the form

of cash, labor, or a share of the crops produced.

Social unrest- a state of public dissatisfaction, disturbance, and disorder in response to perceived

injustice or inequality.

Rebellion- an organized and often violent opposition to a government or ruling authority, often

motivated by grievances related to social or political issues.

Martial Law- a temporary suspension of civil liberties and imposition of military control over

civilian authorities and institutions, often enacted in response to social or political unrest or

perceived threats to national security.

Elite class- a group of individuals who hold disproportionate wealth, power, and influence in

society, often based on factors such as social status, education, and access to resources.

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL)- a Philippine law enacted in 1988 that aimed to

promote social justice and equity in the distribution of agricultural land, providing for the

redistribution of private agricultural land to tenant-farmers and promoting rural development.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)- a Philippine government agency responsible for

implementing agrarian reform programs and policies, including land redistribution, support

services for farmers, and land tenure improvement.

Bureaucratic red tape- excessive and often unnecessary bureaucracy or administrative procedures

that can cause delays, inefficiencies, and frustration for those seeking to access services or

benefits.

Primary sources- original sources of information or data that were created at the time of the event

or period being studied, such as government records, letters, diaries, photographs, and oral

histories.

Secondary sources- sources of information or data that were created after the event or period

being studied, such as scholarly articles, books, documentaries, and historical analyses.
Social dynamics- the ways in which individuals and groups interact with each other, influenced

by social norms, power relations, and cultural values.

Equitable- fair and just, ensuring that everyone has access to the same opportunities and

resources regardless of social or economic status.

Tenant- it is a person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord.

Importance of the Study

The study of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines Norte, during the period of 1986 to

1992 is an important and timely undertaking for several reasons. Firstly, the study contributes to

the ongoing discourse on agrarian reform in the Philippines, which is a pressing issue in the

country's socio-economic development. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)

was implemented to address the unequal distribution of wealth and power in the agricultural

sector, and understanding how this program played out in a specific context such as Labo can

provide valuable insights for future policy and program development.

Secondly, the study provides a microcosm of the larger struggle for land and social

justice in the country. The conflict between landlords and tenants in the Philippines has a long

and complex history, and the case of Labo sheds light on the power dynamics and social

implications of agrarian reform. By examining the landlord-tenant contract and property

ownership during the period of agrarian reform, the study provides a nuanced understanding of

how the program affected different stakeholders.

 Thirdly, the study is important for the field of historical research as it contributes to the

documentation and understanding of the past. The implementation of agrarian reform in Labo

during the period of 1986 to 1992 was a complex and difficult process, and the study draws on

primary and secondary sources to provide a comprehensive view of the events and dynamics at

play. By analyzing the historical context, the study contributes to a more nuanced and accurate

understanding of the social, economic, and political factors that shaped the implementation of

agrarian reform in Labo.

Overall, this historical research on agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines Norte, during the

period of 1986 to 1992 is a valuable and important contribution to the fields of Philippine

history, sociology, political science, and anthropology. The study sheds light on the successes

and challenges of agrarian reform in a specific context, provides insights into the social and

political implications of the program, and contributes to the ongoing discourse on land and social

justice in the Philippines.

Scope and Limitation

This study examines the landlord-tenant contract and property ownership during the

period of agrarian reform in Labo, Camarines Norte from 1986 to 1992, using primary sources

such as government documents, newspaper articles, and stakeholder interviews. Secondary

sources provide context on the broader historical context of agrarian reform in the Philippines.

However, this study is limited to the specific timeframe and location and does not cover other
areas where agrarian reform was implemented. The availability and quality of primary sources

may also have limited the study, and some perspectives of stakeholders may not have been

represented.