LAND/AGRARIAN

REFORM DURING THE

ADMINISTRATION OF
MACAPAGAL, MARCOS
AND CORAZON AQUINO
By:

Christian L. Tantay
&
Klein Neal Sagun
 What is Land/Agrarian
Reform?
Land reform is one of the most complicated laws to enact in
the Philippines, with long standing struggle between farmers and
landowners. In this presentation, we will analyze the topic of land
ownership and power relations. We will also discuss what needs
to be done in order to protect our farmers and their right to own a
land.

It is defined as the rectification of the whole system of

agriculture. Agrarian Reform is concerned with the relation with
production and distribution of land among farmers.
 the agricultural system during the administration of
macapagal, marcos and CORAZON AQUINO

Diosdado Macapagal Ferdinand Marcos Corazon Aquino

(1961-1965) (1965-1986) (1986-1992)

 AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM
DURING THE ADMINISTRATION
OF
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL
(1961-1965)
Diosdado Macapagal policies on land reforms:

1. Agricultural Land Reform Code

- Distribution of private lands to farmers on easy term of payment.

2. Retention limit of 75 hectares.

3. Exemption rule of big companies, transfer of landlordism.

President Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965)
 RA NO. 3844 of August 8, 1963 (Agricultural Land Reform Code)-
abolished share-tenancy contracts, institutionalized leasehold, set
retention limit at 75 hectares, invested rights of preemption 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.
 AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM
DURING THE ADMINISTRATION
OF
FERDINAND MARCOS
(1965-1986)
Ferdinand Marcos policies on land reforms:

1. R.A. 6390
- Agrarian Reform Special Fund Act – finance the agrarian
reform programs.

2. Tenant Emancipation Act – operational land transfer.

3. PD No.27 – 7 hectares up sell.

President Ferdinand Marcos (1965-1986)
 “New Society” (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) was ushered in by the
Proclamation no. 1081 on September 21, 1972.
 Agrarian Reform program was put into law and land reform program was
implemented.
 Decreed RA No. 6389 (Code of Agrarian Reform) and RA No, 6390 of 1971
that created the DAR and the Agrarian Reform Special Account Fund and
expanded the scope of agrarian reform.
 Presidential Decree No. 2 September 26, 1972, declared the country under
land reform program and activated the Agrarian Reform Coordinating Council.
 All government agencies were ordered to fully cooperate and assist the DAR.
 Presidential Decree No. 27, October 21, 1972, restricted the land reform
scope to tenanted rice and corn lands and set retention limit at 7 hectares.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM

 Is the leading agency of agrarian reform that undertakes improvement

and development of program beneficiaries.
What is the meaning of the logo of DAR?

 The logo shows the department's acronym representing the institution and its role
as the lead agency in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program (CARP).

 The sun radiates its light into the field of green divided into 12 segments
representing the original 12 regions covered by the program. Green stands for
fertility and productivity while yellow represents hope and a golden harvest of
agrarian reform beneficiaries who are the recipients of the services provided by
department via CARP. Both colors imply the economic growth and sound rural
development can be achieved through agrarian reform.
 AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM
DURING THE ADMINISTRATION
OF
CORAZON AQUINO
(1986-1992)
Corazon Aquino policies on land reforms:

1. Several Legislation on Agrarian Reform during Cory Aquino’s regime.

Proclamation 131 or Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program or
(CARP) provided a special fund amounting in 50 billion pesos.
2. EO 228 declared full ownership of the land to qualified farm
beneficiaries. It was also regulated in terms of manner of payment and
mode of compensation (form of payment).
3. Accomplishments include grants and budgetary support from Official
Development Assistance or (ODA).
4. Received support from NGO’s farmer’s association and landowners
themselves.
5. Faced challenges such as lack of political will and commitment to the
program.
President Corazon Aquino (1986-1992)
 Article ll, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The State shall promote
comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform”
With this President Aquino signed into law the following:
1. EO No. 228, July 16, 1987, which declared full land ownership to qualified farmer
beneficiaries covered by the PD 27.
2. EO 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 – instituted the CARP as a major program of the
government.
 Provided for a special fund known as the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) with an initial amount
of 50 billion to cover the estimated cost of the program from 1987-1992.
4. EO No. 129-A, July 26, 1987 – streamlined and expanded the power and operations of
the DAR.
5. RA No. 6557 also known as 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. Still at work till the present.
President Corazon Aquino (1986-1992)
6. EO No. 405, June 14, 1990 – which conferred LBP the responsibility to determine land
valuation and compensation for all lands covered by CARP.
7. E.O No. 406, it emphasized that CARP is central to the government's efforts to hasten
countryside agro-industrial development and directed the implementing agencies to align
their respective programs and projects with CARP.
- This created CARP implementing teams from the national to the municipal levels and gave
priority to 24 strategic operating provinces where the bulk of CARP workload lies.
8. EO No. 407, June 14, 1990, accelerated the acquisition and distribution of agricultural lands,
pasture lands, fishponds, agroforestry lands and other lands of the public domain suitable for
agriculture.
9. 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.
 What programs were helpful and not? How did the
programs help our economy/agriculture?

In our opinion, Republic Act No. 3844 of August 8, 1963, or the (Agricultural Land Reform Code) is
the one programs were helpful in our economy/agriculture and the administration of Corazon Aquino is
not. So how did the Agricultural Land Reform Code help our economy/agriculture? The Agricultural Land
Reform Code (RA No. 3844) was a major advancement of land reform here in the Philippines and it
abolished tenancy and established a leasehold system in which farmers paid fixed rentals to landlords,
rather than a percentage of harvest. In agricultural leasehold, the farmer cultivates the land belonging to,
or possessed by another with the latter's consent for a price certain in money or in produce. It also
established the Lank Bank of the Philippines to help with land reform, particularly the purchase of
agricultural estates for division and resale to small landholders and the purchase of land by the
agricultural lessee. While the law was a significant advance over previous legislation, through the bill
was weakened by numerous amendments imposed by Congress, which was dominated by landlords. The
main provisions of the Agricultural Land Reform Code were first, to establish and encourage the
formation of family-sized farms as the basis for Philippine agriculture. Second, to improve the lives of
farmers by liberating them from harmful practices such as illegal interest rates. Third, is to encourage
greater productivity and increase income of small farmers. Fourth, to apply labor laws equally regardless
of status. Fifth, to provide a land settlement program and promote equitable distribution of land and
lastly, to make poor farmers self-reliant, responsible citizens to strengthen society.
 Compare and contrast the eras. Which was more
successful and why?

In our opinion, the RA no. 3844 of Diosdado Macapagal was the most successful one out of the other two,
simply because the act made by President Macapagal abolished the share tenancy in the country, it converted
tenant farmers from lessees to owner-cultivators. It also aimed to free tenants and gave hope to the poor Filipino
farmers and gave the right to own land they are tilling. This is unlike the system of what President Marcos
initiated because major corporations and the monopoly of businessman, as well as foreign and local firms
allowed the use of large portions of land.

He also emphasized owner-cultivatorship and farmer independence, equality and productivity

improvement as well as the public distribution of land. We can say that he is strong-willed when it comes to
policies, something that the Corazon Aquino administration lack due to her lack of political wills and leadership
and the commitment to implement her program known as the "Agrarian Reform Program". Corazon Aquino
should have implemented such programs because of her revolutionary power's status.

Macapagal also introduced the "Agricultural Land Reform Code" which distributed private lands to
farmers on easy term of payment. Along with the "Retention Limit of 75 Hectares" which exempted big
companies to rule and transfer of landlordism. Now we know why Diosdado Macapagal was called as "The Father
of Agrarian Reform" not because of his policies were perfect, but it helped a lot of farmers and people.
 What are your
thoughts/reactions/conclusion/recommendations about your
topic?

What we learned from the article about the eras, is that we gave insight in
each of the agrarian policies of the different administrations and what they
achieved and what they failed to promise the people. We can see that these
agrarian systems from different administrations gave importance to the country
because each of them tried to help the Filipino farmers and people. Though,
they are not perfect and are prone to challenges and limitations, they still serve
a piece of importance for future reformers. We recommend that we should not
repeat or make the mistakes the past administrations' agrarian programs did
with many limitations and that it should benefit most Filipinos including
farmers.
THANKS FOR LISTENING