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DARHistoricalBackground
In1978,whenthecountryadoptedtheparliamentaryformofgovernment,theDARwasrenamed
MinistryofAgrarianReform.
OnJuly26,1987,theDepartmentbyvirtueofExecutiveOrderNo.129Awasorganizedstructurallyand
functionally.ThisE.O.expandedthepowersandoperationsoftheDepartment.
OnSeptember27,2004,PresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyo,signedExecutiveOrderNo.364,andthe
DepartmentofAgrarianReformwasrenamedtoDepartmentofLandReform.ThisE.O.alsobroadened
thescopeoftheDepartment,makingitresponsibleforalllandreforminthecountry.Italsoplacedthe
PhilippineCommissiononUrbanPoor(PCUP)underitssupervisionandcontrol.Recognitionofthe
ownershipofancestraldomainbyindigenouspeoplesalsobecametheresponsibilityofthisnew
department,undertheNationalCommissiononIndigenousPeoples(NCIP).
OnAugust23,2005,PresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyosignedExecutiveOrderNo.456andrenamed
theDepartmentofLandReformbacktoDepartmentofAgrarianReform,since"theComprehensive
AgrarianReformLawgoesbeyondjustlandreformbutincludesthetotalityofallfactorsandsupport
servicesdesignedtolifttheeconomicstatusofthebeneficiaries."
AtthepresentadministrationofPresidentBenignoSimeonNoynoyAquinoIII,theDARwhichisthe
leadagencyforCARPimplementationisbentonsustainingthegainsofagrarianreformthroughits
threemajorcomponentsLandTenureImprovement(LTI),ProgramBeneficiariesDevelopment(PBD)
andAgrarianJusticeDelivery(AJD).
TogetherwiththeeffortstofightgraftandcorruptionbythePresident,itisimperativetohave
institutionalreformswithinDARasacomplementtotheabovementionedDARcomponentsaswellas
givecredence,transparencyandaccountabilityatallsectorsoftheDARbureaucracy.hievedthrough
agrarianreform.

AGRARIANREFORMHISTORY
UncoveringtheRootsofLandOwnershipProblems

PreColonialTimes(Before16thCentury)
ThePhilippines,evenbeforebeingcolonizedbydifferentcountries,alreadyhavedevelopedan
organizationfortheircommunities.Thelandownedbythesecommunitiesisknownasbarangaywhich
consistsof30100familieswhichisadministeredbydifferentchiefs.
Inthesebarangays,everyoneregardlessofstatushadaccessonthelandandmutuallyshares
resourcestotherestofthecommunity.Theybelievedinandpracticedtheconceptofstewardship
whererelationshipbetweenmanandnatureisimportant.
Landcultivationwasdonecommonlybykainginsystemortheslashandburnmethodwhereinlandwas
clearedbyburningthebushesbeforeplantingthecropsoreitherlandwasplowedandharrowedbefore
planting.Ontheotherhand,foodproductionwasintendedforfamilyconsumptiononlyatfirstbutlater
onneighboringcommunitieswhereengagedinabartertrade,exchangingtheirgoodswithothers.Some
eventradedtheiragriculturalproductswithluxuryitemsofsomeforeigntradersliketheChinese,Arabs
andEuropeans.
TheonlyrecordedtransactionoflandsaleduringthattimewastheMaragtasCode.Thisisthesellingof
thePanayIslandtothetenBorneandatusinexchangeforagoldensalakotandalonggoldnecklace.
AlthoughtheCodeofLuwaranwasoneoftheoldestwrittenlawsoftheMuslimsocietywhichcontains
provisionontheleaseofcultivatedlands,therewasnorecordhowtheleasearrangementwas
practiced.
SpanishEra(15211896)
WhentheSpanishcametothecountryin1521,theyintroducedpuebloanagriculturesystemwherein
thenativeruralcommunitieswereorganizedintopuebloandeachChristianizednativefamilyisgiven
fourtofivehectaresoflandtocultivate,thusthereisnolandlessclass.
Nonetheless,thesenativefamiliesaremerelylandholdersandnotlegitimatelandowners.Bylaw,the
landassignedtothemwasthepropertyoftheSpanishKingwheretheypaytheircolonialtributestothe
Spanishauthoritiesintheformofagriculturalproductsthattheyproduce.
Atthebeginningofthe19thcentury,thePhilippinesasacolonyofSpainimplementedpoliciesthat
wouldmainstreamthecountryintotheworldofcapitalism.Theeconomywasopenedtotheworld
marketasexporterofrawmaterialsandimporteroffinishedgoods.Theagriculturalexportswere
mandatedandhaciendasystemwasdevelopedasanewformofownership.Morepeoplelosttheir
landsandwereforcedtobecometillers.
AgriculturaltenancyduringthattimeoriginatedwhentheSpanishcrownimplementedtheLawsofthe
Indies.Thelawawardsvasttractsoflandtothereligiousordersinthecountry.Someofthemare
awardedtotheSpanishmilitaryasrewardfortheirservice(alsoknownasrepartiamentos),andtothe
otherSpaniardsknownasencomienderostomanageandhavetherighttoreceivetributesfromthe
nativestillingthelandalsoknownasencomiendas.Becauseofthis,thenativeswithintheseareas
becamemeretillersworkingforashareofcrops.Theydidnotevenhaveanyrightstotheland.
Ideallythepurposeoftheencomiendasystemisfortheencomienderostoprotectthenativesand
furtherintroducethemintoCatholicfaithinexchangefortributefromthenatives.Butabusive
encomienderoscollectedmoretributesthatbecamethelandrentalsfromthenativeslivinginthearea.
Acomprasyvandalassystemwaspracticedwhereintillersweremadetocompulsorysellataverylow
priceorsurrendertheiragriculturalharveststoSpanishauthoritieswhereencomienderoscanresellitfor
aprofit.Peopleoftheencomiendaswerealsorequiredtorenderpersonalservicesonpublicand

religiousworkandasahouseholdhelptotheencomienderos.
In1865,therewasalawmadebytheSpanishcrownorderinglandholderstoregistertheirlandholdings
butonlyafewwereawareofthisdecreesotheyweretheonlyoneswhowereabletoregistertheir
lands.Ancestrallandswereclaimedandregisteredinotherpeoplesnames(Spanishofficials,inquilinos
andcaciquesorlocalchieftains).Asaresult,manypeasantfamiliesweredrivenoutfromthelandsthey
havebeencultivatingforcenturiesorwereforcedtobecometillers.
In1893,theLeyHipotecariaortheMortgageLawwasintroducedthatprovidesthesystematic
registrationoftitlesanddeedsaswellasownershipclaims.Thislawwasmainlyalawonregistrationof
propertiesratherthanamortgagelaw.
In1894,thelastSpanishLandLawpromulgatedinthePhilippineswasTheMauraLaworRoyalDecree
of1894.Thislawstatesthatfarmersandlandholdersweregivenoneyeartoregistertheiragricultural
landstoavoiddeclarationofitasastateproperty.
WiththeencomiendasystemstillbeinguseddespitethedifferentlawspassedbytheSpanishcrown
moreandmoretillerswereabused,exploitedanddeprivedoftheirrights.Therevolutionofpeasantsand
farmersin1896articulatedtheiraspirationsforagrarianreformandforajustsociety.Womenalsofought
forfreedomandplayedanimportantroleintheplanningandimplementingtheactivitiesofthe
revolutionarymovements.
Theresultofthisrevolutionhasmadethegovernmentconfiscatethelargelandedestates,especially
thefriarlandsanddeclaredtheselandsaspropertiesofthegovernment.(MalolosConstitution,1896,
ArticleXVII)
AmericanEra(18981935)
Realizingthatbeinglandlesswasthemaincauseofsocialunrestandrevoltatthattime,theAmericans
soughttoputanendtothemiserableconditionsofthetenanttillersandsmallfarmersbypassing
severallandpoliciestowidenthebaseofsmalllandholdingsanddistributelandownershipamongthe
greaternumberofFilipinotenantsandfarmers.
Inconnectiontothis,thePhilippineBillof1902waspassedwhichprovidedregulationsonthedisposal
ofpubliclandswhereinaprivateindividualcanown16hectaresoflandwhilethecorporatelandholdings
canavailof1,024hectares.ThisalsogavetherightstotheAmericanstoownagriculturallands.
TheTorrenssystemoflandregistrationwasalsointroducedduringtheAmericancolonialperiod.This
wasmadetoreplacetheregistrationsystemthatwasimplementedbytheSpaniards.Thereasonwhy
theymadeadifferentsystemofregistrationwasthatsome400,000nativefarmerswerewithouttitlesat
thestartoftheAmericaneraandthissituationwasalsoaggravatedbytheabsenceofrecordsofissued
titlesandaccuratelandsurveys.
TheLandRegistrationActof1902orActNo.496placedallprivateandpubliclandsunderTorrens
system.WhiletheCadastralActorActNo.2259speedsuptheissuanceofTorrenstitles.Thiswas
donebysurveyingamunicipalityandpresentedtheresulttothelandregistrationcourt.
AprogramcalledtheHomesteadProgramwasintroducedin1903thatallowedanenterprisingtenantto
acquireafarmofatleast16hectarestocultivate.However,theprogramwasnotimplemented
nationwideandwasintroducedonlyinsomepartsofMindanaoandNorthernLuzon,wheretherewere
availablepublicalienableanddisposablelands.
TherearealsootheragrarianlawsthatwereintroducedduringtheAmericaneraliketheFirstPublic

LandActorActNo.926whichprovidedrulesandregulationsforsellingandleasingportionsofthe
publicdomain,completingdefectiveSpanishlandtitles,canceling,andconfirmingSpanish
concessions.AnotheristheSecondPublicLandActof1919orAct2874whichlimitstheuseof
agriculturallandstoFilipinos,Americans,andcitizensofothercountries.Ontheotherhand,theActNo.
141amendedtheSecondPublicActof1919orActNo.2874.Therevisionconsistsofatemporary
provisionofequalityontherightsofAmericanandFilipinocitizensandcorporations.Italsocompiledall
preexistinglawsrelativetopubliclandsintoasingleinstrument.
ThereisalsotheFriarLandActorActNo.1120whichprovidedtheadministrativeandtemporary
leasingandsellingoffriarlandstoitstillers.Thefirstlegislationregulatingtherelationshipsoflandlord
andtenantsandthefirstlawtolegalizea5050cropsharingarrangementwasalsointroducedinthe
AmericaneraandisknownastheRiceShareTenancyActof1933orActNo.4054.Thereisalsothe
SugarcaneTenancyContractsActof1933orActNo.4113whichregulatedtherelationshipoflandlord
andtenantsinthesugarcanefieldsandrequiredtenancycontractsonlandplantedtosugarcane.
However,despitethedifferentlandpoliciespassedduringthattime,thefarmerssituationdidnot
improveatall.Infact,itfurtherworsenedthelandownershipsituation,wheretherewasnolimitonthe
sizeoflandholdingsonecouldpossess.Landholdingswereonceagainconcentratedinthehandsof
fewerindividualswhocanaffordtobuy,register,andacquirefixedtitlesoftheirproperties.Therefore,
morelandswereplacedundertenancy.
Asaresult,therewerewidespreadpeasantuprisings,headedbythearmedpeasantsgroupsknownas
ColorumandSakdalistaofLuzonandNortheasternMindanaorespectively.Theseuprisingsresultedto
socialdisorderin1920sand1930s.Hence,moremilitantpeasantsandworkersorganizationsbonded
togetherforamorecollectiveactionagainsttheabusesoflandlordsandunjustlandownershipsituation.
ThisgavebirthtotheCommunistPartyofthePhilippines.
CommonwealthYears(19351942)
Duringtheseyearsthesituationoflandownershipandtenancywerecharacterizedbythecontrasting
economicandpoliticallifestylebetweentenantandthelandlord.Landlordsbecamericherandpowerful
whilethetenantsweredeprivedoftheirrights,becamepoorerandabsenteelandownersincreased.They
preferredtogoafternewopportunitiesinthecitiesandlefttheirfarmsidletothemanagementof
katiwalas.Asaresult,haciendaswerepoorlyandunjustlymanaged.
Asmallplotoflandcultivatedbyanaveragepeasantfarmercouldnotsustainadecentlivingforhis
family.Tenantsandfarmersshoulderedexcessivefines,unfairtaxationandusury.Systemsforcredit
andmarketingofricewerelackingthus,farmersreceivedaverylowsellingprice.
Consequently,peasantuprisingbecamewidespreadalloverthecountry.
Asaresponsetothesesituations,thegovernmentunderthestewardshipofPresidentQuezonrealized
thatlandreformprogramsshouldbeimplementedimmediately.Theysawthepurchaseoffriarlandsas
apossiblewaytosolvetheproblemofinequitablelandownership.TheyalsosawthattheHomestead
programcouldbetransformedintoamassiveresettlementprogram,ifproperlyimplemented.
JapaneseEra
DuringtheJapaneseoccupation,peasantsandworkersorganizedtheHUKBALAHAP(HukbongBayan
LabansamgaHapon)onMarch29,1942asanantiJapanesegroup.Theytookovervasttractsofland
andgavethelandtothepeople.

Forthem,thewarwasagoldenopportunityforpeoplesinitiativetopushpropoorprograms.Landlords
wereoverpoweredbythepeasantsbutunfortunatelyattheendofthewar,throughthehelpofthe
militarypoliceandcivilianguards,landlordswereabletoretrievetheirlandsfromtheHUKBALAHAP.

EvolutionofInitiativesonLandReform

ManuelL.Quezon(19351944)
SomeoftheAgrarianReformlawswerepassedduringtheadministrationofManuelL.Quezon:
RA4054ortheRiceTenancyLawwasthefirstlawoncropsharingwhichlegalizedthe5050share
betweenlandlordandtenantwithcorrespondingsupporttotenantsprotectingthemagainstabusesof
landlords.However,thislawwashardlyimplementedbecausemostofthemunicipalcouncilswere
composedofpowerfulhacienderosandbiglandlords.Infact,onlyonemunicipalitypassedaresolution
foritsenforcementandmajoritieshavepetitioneditsapplicationtotheGovernorGeneral.
The1935Constitutionprovidedspecificprovisionsonsocialjusticeandexpropriationoflandedestates
fordistributiontotenantsasasolutiontothelandownershipandtenancyproblems.
CommonwealthActNo.461specifiedthatdismissalofatenantshouldfirsthavetheapprovalof
TenancyDivisionoftheDepartmentofJustice.
CommonwealthActNo.608wasenactedtoestablishsecurityoftenurebetweenlandlordandtenant.It
prohibitedthecommonpracticeamonglandownersofejectingtenantswithoutclearlegalgrounds.
PresidentQuezonsprogramonlandreformincludesmakingalaiddownsocialjusticeprogramthat
focusedonthepurchasedoflargehaciendaswhichweredividedandsoldtotenants.This
administrationwasalsoresponsibleinestablishingtheNationalRiceandCornCorporation(NARICC)
andassigningpublicdefenderstoassistpeasantsincourtbattlesfortheirrightstotilltheland.
Duringthisperiod,theCourtofIndustrialRelations(CIR)wassetuptoexercisejurisdictionover
disagreementsarisingfromagriworkersandlandownerrelationship.Itwasalsoduringthistimethatthe
RiceTenancyAct(ActNo.4054)wasamended.
TheHomesteadProgramcontinuedthroughthecreationoftheNationalLandSettlementAdministration
(CANo.441)andtenancyproblemswerecoveredthroughCANos.461and608.
ButtheimplementationoflandreformduringQuezonsadministrationwashinderedbecauseofthe

budgetallocationforthesettlementprogrammadeitimpossiblefortheprogramtosucceed.Alsomost
landlordsdidnotcomplywiththeRiceShareTenancyAct.Widespreadpeasantuprisingagainstabusive
landlordsalsocontinued.Inaddition,theoutbreakoftheWorldWarIIputastoppedtothe
landownershipandtenancyinterventionsduringthisperiod.

ManuelRoxas(19461948)
TheRepublicActNo.34waspassedduringtheadministrationofManuelRoxasanditenactedto
establisha7030sharingarrangementbetweentenantandlandlord.The70%oftheharvestwillgoto
thepersonwhoshoulderedtheexpensesforplanting,harvestingandfortheworkanimals.Withthis,it
reducedtheinterestoflandownersloanstotenantsatnotmorethan6%.

PresidentRoxasalsonegotiatedforthepurchaseof8,000hectaresoflandsinBatangasownedbythe
AyalaZobelfamily.Theseweresoldtolandlessfarmers.
However,duetolackofsupportfacilities,thefarmerswereforcedtoreselltheirlandstothelandowning
class.Thisfailuregavebasistodoubttherealmeaningoflandreformprogram.

ElpidioR.Quirino(19481953)

InElpidioQuirinosadministrations,theExecutiveOrderNo.355,theLandSettlementDevelopment
Corporation(LASEDECO)wasestablishedtoaccelerateandexpandthepeasantresettlementprogram
ofthegovernment.However,duetolimitedpostwarresources,theprogramwasnotsuccessful.

RamonMagsaysay(19531957)
WhenPresidentMagsaysaywaselectedasthepresidentofthecountryherealizedtheimportanceof
pursuingamorehonesttogoodnesslandreformprogram.Soheconvincedtheelitecontrolledcongress
topassseverallegislationtoimprovethelandreformsituationinthecounty.Someoftheseare:
R.A.No.1199(1954):AgriculturalTenancyActbasicallygovernedtherelationshipbetweenlandholders
andtenantfarmers.Thislawhelpedprotectthetenurerightsoftenanttillersandenforcedfairtenancy
practices.
R.A.No.1160(1954):FreedistributionofResettlementandRehabilitationandAgriculturallandandan
ActestablishingtheNationalResettlementandRehabilitationAdministration(NARRA).
R.A.No.1400(1955):LandReformActorknownasLandtotheLandlessProgramwhichsought
improvementinlandtenureandguaranteedtheexpropriationofalltenantedlandedestates.
R.A.No.1266(1955)ExpropriationofHaciendadelRosario,situatedatValdefuente,CabanatuanCity
HeimplementedtheAgriculturalTenancyActbyestablishingtheCourtofAgriculturalRelationsin1955
toimprovetenancysecurity,fixthelandrentalsontenantedfarmsandtoresolvethemanyland
disputesfiledbythelandownersandpeasantorganizations.
HealsocreatedtheAgriculturalTenancyCommissiontoadministerproblemsarisingfromtenancy.
ThroughthisCommission28,000hectareswereissuedtosettlers.
UnderPresidentMagsaysaytheAgriculturalCreditandCooperativeFinancingAdministration(ACCFA)
wascreated.Thisisagovernmentagencyformedtoprovidewarehousefacilitiesandassistfarmers
markettheirproductsandestablishedtheorganizationoftheFarmersCooperativesandMarketing
Associations(FACOMAs).
WiththepassingofRA1160of1954,PresidentMagsaysaypursuedtheresettlementprogramthrough
theNationalResettlementandRehabilitationAdministration(NARRA).Thislawestablishedthe
governmentsresettlementprogramandacceleratedthefreedistributionofagriculturallandstolandless

tenantsandfarmers.ItparticularlyaimedtoconvincemembersoftheHUKBALAHAPmovementto
returntoapeacefullifebygivingthemhomelotsandfarmlands.
ThisadministrationalsospearheadedtheestablishmentoftheAgriculturalandIndustrialBankto
provideeasiertermsinapplyingforhomesteadandotherfarmland.
Withalltheprogramsandbillspassedunderhisadministration,outofthetargeted300haciendasfor
distribution,only41weredistributedafterits7yearsofimplementation.Thiswasduetolackoffunds
andinadequatesupportservicesprovidedfortheseprograms.
Asaresult,landlordscontinuedtobeuncooperativeandcriticaltotheprogramandlandownershipand
tenancyproblemscontinued.

CarlosP.Garcia(19571961)
TherewasnolegislationpassedinCarlosGarciastermbuthecontinuedtoimplementthelandreform
programsofPresidentMagsaysay.

DiosdadoMacapagal(19611965)

ItwasduringDiosdadoMacapagalthattheAgriculturalLandReformCodeorRANo.3844wasenacted,
morespecificallyonAugust8,1963.Thiswasconsideredtobethemostcomprehensivepieceof
agrarianreformlegislationeverenactedinthecountrythattime.Becauseofthis,PresidentDiosdado
MacapagalwasconsideredastheFatherofAgrarianReform.
diosdadomacapagalTheRANo.3844wasconsideredassuchbecausethisActabolishedshare
tenancyinthePhilippines.Itprescribedaprogramconvertingthetenantfarmerstolesseesand
eventuallyintoownercultivators.Moreover,itaimedtofreetenantsfromthebondageoftenancyand
gavehopetopoorFilipinofarmerstoownthelandtheyaretilling.Finally,itemphasizedownercultivator
relationshipandfarmerindependence,equity,productivityimprovementandthepublicdistributionof
land.
However,thelandedCongressdidnotprovideefforttocomeupwithaseparatebilltoprovidefunding
foritsimplementation.TheactwaspilotedintheprovincesofPangasinan,Bulacan,NuevaEcija,
Pampanga,Tarlac,OccidentalMindoro,CamarinesSurandMisamisOriental.Itacquiredatotalof
18,247.06hectaresor99.29%outofthetotalscopeof18,377.05hectares.Theprogrambenefited7,466
farmerbeneficiaries.(BLADDAROfficialRecords)

FerdinandE.Marcos(19651986)
WhenPresidentMarcosassumedoffice,heimmediatelydirectedthemassiveimplementationofthe
leaseholdphaseofthelandreformprogrambysigningintolawtheCodeofAgrarianReformsinthe
PhilippinesorRANo.6389anditscompanionbillRANo.6390.TheCodeofAgrarianReformsorRA
No.6389governedtheimplementationoftheagrarianreforminthePhilippines.Thislawinstitutedthe
CodeofAgrarianReformsandsignificantlyamendedseveralprovisionsofAgriculturalLandReform
CodeorRA3844ofPresidentMacapagal.ItcreatedtheDepartmentofAgrarianReform,aseparate
administrativeagencyforagrarianreform,replacingtheLandAuthority.
RA6390wasenactedtoacceleratetheimplementationoftheoftheagrarianreformprograminthe
fieldsoflandacquisitionandagriculturalcredit.ThroughtheCode,anARSpecialAccountinthe
GeneralFundwascreatedthatexclusivelyfinancetheagrarianreformprogram.
ThecoreoftheAgrarianReformProgramofPresidentMarcoswasPresidentialDecreeNo.2,
proclaimingtheentirecountryasalandreformareaandPresidentialDecreeNo.27,decreeingthe
emancipationoftenantsfromthebondageofsoil,transferringtothemtheownershipofthelandtheytill
andprovidingtheneededinstrumentsandmechanisms.Thislawprovidedfortenantedlandsdevotedto
riceandcorntopassownershiptothetenants.Italsoloweredtheceilingsforlandholdingsto7

hectares.Thelawstipulatedthatsharetenantswhoworkedfromalandholdingofover7hectarescould
purchasethelandtheytilled,whilesharetenantsonlandlessthan7hectareswouldbecome
leaseholders.
Thisagrarianreformprogramwasdesignedtoupliftthefarmersfrompovertyandignoranceandtomake
themuseful,dignified,responsibleandprogressivepartnersinnationbuilding.ThisARprogramwasa
packageofservicesextendedtofarmersintheformofcreditsupport,infrastructure,farmextension,
legalassistance,electrificationanddevelopmentofruralinstitutions.
PresidentMarcosAgrarianReformProgramischaracterizedbyfivemajorcomponentsandtheseare
LandTenureProgram,InstitutionalDevelopment,PhysicalDevelopment,AgriculturalDevelopment,and
HumanResources.
TheAgrarianReformProgramswasalsolabeledasrevolutionarybysomesectorsbecauseitwas
pursuedunderMartialLawandintendedtomakequickchangeswithoutgoingthroughlegislativeor
technicalprocessesandanotherreasonisthatitwastheonlylawinthePhilippineseverdonein
handwriting.
Nevertheless,theprogramalsoposedsomelimitationswhichincludeslimitedscopeoftheprogram
sinceitwasonlydirectedforthetenanted,privatelyownedriceandcornlandstherewasmonopolyof
businessmeninbothcoconutandsugarindustriesforeignandlocalfirmswereallowedtouselarge
tracksoflandfortheirbusinessandbecauseofthedeclarationofMartialLawseveralfarmerleaders
werearrestedwithoutdueprocessoflaw.

CorazonC.Aquino(19861992)
The1987PhilippineConstitutionsetthedirectionofagrarianreformintheAquinoadministration.The
1987ConstitutionaffirmedthatTheStateshallpromotecomprehensiveruraldevelopmentandagrarian
reform.(Article2,Section21)
WhenPresidentCoryAquinoseatedasthePresidentofthecountry,severallegislationsandissuances
onAgrarianReformwerepassed.Someofthemare:
Proclamation131institutedtheComprehensiveAgrarianReformProgram(CARP)asamajorprogramof
thegovernment.ItprovidedforaspecialfundknownastheAgrarianReformFund(ARF)intheamount
of50billionpesostocovertheestimatedcostoftheprogramfortheperiod19871997.

EO129AreorganizedtheDepartmentofAgrarianReformandexpandedinpowerandoperations.Itis
knownthattherecordandlegacyoftheAquinoAdministrationinAgrarianReformistheExecutive
Summary,PlanningService,andDAR.
EO228declaredfullownershipofthelandtoqualifiedfarmerbeneficiariescoveredbyPD27.Italso
regulatedthevalueofremainingriceandcornlandsforcoverageprovidedforthemannerofpaymentby
thefarmerbeneficiariesandthemodeofcompensationtothelandowners.
EO229providedtheadministrativeprocessesforlandregistrationorLISTASAKAprogram,acquisition
ofprivatelandandcompensationproceduresforlandowners.Itspecifiedthestructureandfunctionsof
unitsthatwillcoordinateandsupervisetheimplementationoftheprogram.
RA6657orComprehensiveAgrarianReformLawisanactinstitutingacomprehensiveagrarianreform
programtopromotesocialjusticeandIndustrialization,providingthemechanismforitsimplementation
andforotherpurposes.
TostrengthenCARPandfasttrackitsimplementation,PresidentAquinoissuedthefollowingExecutive
Orders(EO):
E.O.No.405gavetheLandBankofthePhilippinestheprimaryresponsibilityforthelandvaluation
functioninorderforDARtoconcentrateitseffortsontheidentificationoflandholdingsandbeneficiaries,
thedistributionofacquiredlands,andtheothersubcomponentsoftheprogram.
E.O.No.406emphasizedthatCARPiscentraltothegovernmentseffortstohastencountrysideagro
industrialdevelopmentanddirectedtheimplementingagenciestoaligntheirrespectiveprogramsand
projectswithCARP.
ThiscreatedCARPimplementingteamsfromthenationaltothemunicipallevelsandgavepriorityto24
strategicoperatingprovinceswherethebulkofCARPworkloadlies.
E.O.No.407directedallgovernmentfinancinginstitutions(GFIs)andgovernmentownedandcontrolled
corporations(GOCCs)toimmediatelytransfertoDARalltheirlandholdingssuitableforagriculture.
E.O.No.448pursuedthepolicythatgovernmentshouldleadtheeffortsinplacinglandsforcoverage
underCARP.Itdirectedtheimmediateturnoverofgovernmentreservations,nolongerneeded,andthat
aresuitableforagriculture.
SomeoftheaccomplishmentsachievedduringtheAquinoadministrationwithregardstothe
implementationoftheAgrarianReformProgramsarethegrantsandbudgetarysupportfromofficial
developmentassistance(ODA)circlespouredinduringthisadministration.Varioussectorslikewise
recognizedagrarianreformasaworthwhilesocialinvestment.Intermsofthetenanttillerstatus,it
improvedparticularlythosewithinlandownersretainedareasoronlandholdingssubjectforcoverage.
Itisalsoduringthisadministrationthatthepresentadjudicationsystemwasintroduced.ThisgaveDAR
theoriginalandexclusivejurisdictionoveragrariandisputesasquasijudicialpowers.
Also,thelivelihoodandagroindustrialprojectspromotedandtheprogramofsupportserviceswere
intensifiedtohelpfarmerbeneficiariesbecomeproductiveandtransformthemintoentrepreneurs.
Theadministrationreceivedmuchsupportandactiveinvolvementinprogramimplementationfromkey
stakeholderssuchaspeoplesorganization,farmersassociation,NGOsandfromprominent
landownersthemselves.

Ontheotherhand,theadministrationalsofacechallengesintheimplementationofCARPforexample
onlandevaluation,oneveryspecificcaseistheGarchitorenalandscam.Therewerealsoissuesonthe
absenceofaclearcutguidelinethatwouldanswerproblemsonlanduseconversion.Minimalefforts
wereexertedtodiscouragedand/orpreventconversionoflandsintootheruse.
DespitetheAgrarianReformFund(ARF),theadministrationexperiencedamajorbudgetaryshortfalldue
tolowremittancesfromtheAssetPrivatizationTrustandthePresidentialCommissiononGood
Government.
TheadministrationalsoexperiencedconstantchangesinDARleadership.Thisledtolackofcontinuity
ofpriority,programsandprojects.
Allegationonlackofpoliticalwillsleadershipandgenuinecommitmenttoimplementtheprogram.Critics
saythatthePresidentcouldhaveimplementedagenuineagrarianreformprogrambecauseofher
revolutionarypowersafterPeoplePowerI.

FidelV.Ramos(19921998)
TheRamosadministrationisrecognizedforbringingbacksupportofkeystakeholdersofCARPby
bridgingcertainpolicygapsonlandacquisitionanddistribution,landevaluation,andcaseresolution.It
isalsocreditedforenhancinginternaloperatingsystemsandstrengtheningthecapabilitiesoftheDAR
bureaucracyandfortappingmoreresourcestohelpimplementtheprogram.
Duringthistimeguidelinesandprocedureswereformulatedtofacilitateacquisitionanddistributionof
lands:
DARAONo.2(1992)consistsofrulesandproceduresgoverningthedistributionofcancelledorexpired
pastureleaseagreementsandTimberLicenseAgreementsunderEO407.
DARAONo.1(1993)istheamendmenttocertainprovisionsoftheAdministrativeOrderNo.9Seriesof
1990,entitledRevisedRulesandRegulationsGoverningtheAcquisitionofAgriculturalLandsSubject
ofVoluntaryOffertoSellandCompulsoryAcquisitionPursuanttoRA6657.
JointDARLBPAONo.3(1994)isthepolicyguidelinesandproceduresgoverningtheacquisitionand
distributionofagriculturallandsaffectedbytheMt.Pinatuboeruption.
DARAONo.1(1995)consistsoftherulesandproceduresgoverningtheAcquisitionandDistributionof

allAgriculturalLandsSubjectofSequestration/AcquisitionbythePCGGandAPTwhoseownershipin
UnderCourtLitigation.
DARAONo.2(1995)istherevisedrulesandproceduresgoverningtheAcquisitionofPrivate
AgriculturalLandsSubjectofVoluntaryLandTransferoraDirectPaymentScheme(VLT/DPS)Pursuant
toRA6657.
DARAONo.2(1996)istherulesandregulationsgoverningtheAcquisitionofAgriculturalLandssubject
ofVoluntaryOffertoSellandCompulsoryAcquisitionPursuanttoRA6657.
DARAONo.2(1997)istherulesandregulationsfortheAcquisitionofPrivateAgriculturalLands
SubjectofMortgageorForeclosureofMortgage.
DARAONo.8(1997)istherevisedguidelinesontheAcquisitionandDistributionofCompensable
AgriculturalLandsunderVLT/DirectPaymentScheme.
DARMCNo.7(1993)referstotheimplementingguidelinesontheDistributionandTillingofthePublic
AgriculturalLandsturnedoverbytheNationalLivelihoodandSupportFundtotheDARfordistribution
undertheCARPpursuanttoEO407,Seriesof1990asamendedbyEO448,Seriesof1991andas
clarifiedunderMemorandumOrderNo.107ofthePresidentofthePhilippinesdatedMarch23,1993.
Despiteallofthese,therearechallengesthattheadministrationfacedduringimplementationofthe
program.Oneofwhichisthefailureinenforcingtheinstallationofsomefarmerbeneficiariesonawarded
lands.CriticsalsosaythatnonphysicalinstallationofFBshasbeenthenormratherthanthe
exception.
Somesectorsalsocomplainedontheslownessofthisadministrationintheacquisitionanddistribution
ofprivatelyownedlands.Althoughthisadministrationwascreditedforhavingthebiggest
accomplishmentintermsofLAD,criticssaythisisbecausethelandacquiredanddistributedwere
moreonpubliclandsandriceandcornlands.

JosephEjercitoEstrada(19982001)
DuringthisadministrationtheMagkabalikatParasakaunlarangAgraryo(MAGKASAKA)whichwas
launchedwhichisdirectedfortheinvestorstobringincapital,technologyandmanagementsupport
whilethefarmerswillcontribute,atmost,theuseoftheirlanditself.

TheMAGKASAKAaimstoencourageinvestorstobringinvestmentsintothecountrysideandto
enhancetheincomeofthefarmersthroughjointventureschemesandcontractgrowingschemes.The
programalsoaimstoenablethefarmerstobemoreefficientandbegloballycompetitive.
Thisadministrationsawtheurgencyoflanddistribution,andbelievedthatitcanbeservedifitisbuilton
farmerscapacitiestopursuetheirowndevelopment.Oneofthefirstthingsthisadministrationdidwas
toreworkperformancetargetsbyfocusingonthenumberofhectaresoflanddistributedcoupledwith
anaccountingoffarmerbeneficiariesandthespecificcroplandsandfarmsystemscovered.This
approachsoughttointegratelanddistributionandsupportservices.ItwasduringthisperiodthatDAR
launchedaseriesoflandoccupationsbyworkingwithfarmerclaimants,theLGUandgovernment
securityforces.
Tohelpspeeduplitigation,DARalsohelpedsetuptheagrarianjusticefundforfarmerbeneficiariesas
wellasDARfieldworkerswho,duetothenatureofthejob,arenamedasrespondentsincasesfiledby
recalcitrantlandowners.Supportservicestookamuchmoreentrepreneurialapproachduringthis
administration.Sustainableruraldevelopmentdistrictprogram,weredesignedtohelpfarmersattaina
levelofeconomicviability.
IthasforgedalliancesamongcountriesimplementingARthroughtheInternationalConferenceon
AgrarianReformandRuralDevelopment.Thedepartmentthenbeganaggressivelytoassertitsplacein
nationaldevelopmentplanningprocessestoraiseDARsprofilebothinnationalandinternationalfora.
Withthis,DARwasabletosecureaseatintheannualconsultativegroupmeetingbetweenthe
Philippinesseconomicmanagementteamandthedonorcommunity.Thisperiodalsolaunchedthe
DARDADENRconvergenceinitiative.
Buttherewerealsosomehindrancesthattheadministrationfacedlikethefiscalconstraints
encounteredthatresultedtounpaidordelayedpaymentoflandownerscoveredunderthecompulsory
acquisitionandVOSschemes.
TherewerealsoissuesoninterandintraARBsconflictsduetoargumentsforcontrolovernegotiations
withprospectivejointventurepartners,someofwhichbecameviolent.

GloriaMacapagalArroyo(20012010)
TheGMAadministrationhasadoptedtheBAYANANIHANconceptastheimplementingframeworkfor
CARP.BayanmeanspeopleandAnihanmeansharvestandBayanihanmeansworkingtogether.
AppliedtoCARP,BayanAnihanmeansaunitedpeopleworkingtogetherforthesuccessful

implementationofagrarianreform.
TheBayanAnihanFrameworkhasdifferentimplementingstrategiesnamely:
SalinLupa:Acceleratinglandtransferandimprovinglandtenure.
Katarungan:Promptandfairsettlementofagrariandisputesanddeliveryofagrarianreformjustice.
Bayanihan:BetterdeliverybythegovernmentofappropriatesupportservicestoARBsandthe
mobilizationoftheARBsthemselvesinthetransformationoftheagrarianreformcommunitiesintoan
agrarianreformzonesandintoprogressivefarming.
KabayanihanortheKonsehongBayanParasaAnihan:Institutionalizationnotonlyofthesystemof
dialogueandconsultationbutalsojointproblemsolvingwithARstakeholders,particularlypeoples
organizations,cooperativesandNGOs.
Kamalayan:RaisingtheawarenessofDARpersonnel,agrarianreformbeneficiariesandthegeneral
publiconagrarianreformanditscontributiontosocialjusticeanddevelopment.
UnderArroyosadministrationintroducedtheKapitBisigsaKahirapanAgrarianReformZones
(KARZONEs)asaprogramstrategyoftheDARinCARPImplementation.KARZONEsisapartnership
andconvergencestrategyaimedatachievingassetreform,povertyreduction,foodsufficiency,farm
productivity,goodgovernance,socialequityandempowermentofagrarianreformbeneficiaries(ARBs)
bothinARCsandnonARCs.
OtherspecificprogramsunderthisadministrationtoenhanceCARPwerealsoimplementedlikethe
GulayanMagsasakangAgraryo.Thisintendstoaddincomeandfoodsecuritytofarmersandtheir
communities.Educationalopportunitieswerealsousheredintofarmerschildrenanddependents
throughtheDiosdadoMacapagalScholarProgram.
Thisadministrationisalsocreditedinheighteningagrariancaseresolutionbyintroducingaquota
systemtocompeladjudicatorstoworkfasteronagrariancasesandtrainfarmersintoparalegals.

BenignoSimeonNoynoyC.AquinoIII(2010uptopresent)

UnderthegovernanceofPresidentNoynoyAquino,theDARwhichistheleadagencyforCARP
implementationisbentonsustainingthegainsofagrarianreformthroughitsthreemajorcomponents
LandTenureImprovement(LTI),ProgramBeneficiariesDevelopment(PBD)andAgrarianJustice
Delivery(AJD).ThefollowingarethestrategicdirectionsoftheAquinoAdministrationfortheagrarian
reformprogram:
TosubstantiallycompleteassetreformasmandatedbyR.A.No.9700by:
1.Completingthelandacquisitionanddistribution(LAD)intheComprehensiveAgrarianReform
ProgramExtensionwithReforms(CARPER)orRepublicAct9700balancethrough:Focusonlarge
sizedprivateagriculturallandsRedeploymentofcompetentDARpersonneltothe20highLAD
provincesStreamlineLADprocessesandproceduresandEnhancethedatabaseoflandholdingsfor
easeintargetingandmonitoringtheLAD
2.PrioritizingthesubdivisionofcollectiveCertificatesofLandOwnershipAwards(CLOAs)involving
LBPcompensablelands
3.Fasttrackingthedocumentationandsettlementoflandownercompensationforalreadydistributed
lands
4.SynergizingandrationalizingtheeffortsoftheCARPimplementingagenciesinallprocessesofLAD
5.Partneringwiththecivilsocietyorganizations(CSOs)inthedeliveryofLTIservices,particularlythe
largesizedprivateagriculturallands(PAL)
6.AdoptingajobsharingschemewhereinundertheONEDARconcept,provinceswillshare
responsibilities(lowLADprovinceswithhighLADprovinces)tominimizetheneedtohirenew
personneland
7.Increasingtheutilizationoftheservicesofgeodeticengineerstoassisttheprovincialandmunicipal
officesinlandacquisitionconsideringthedifficultyofhiringnewpersonnelandthedemandsofapost
2014scenario.

UnderPresidentAquinosadministration,theDARsProgramBeneficiariesDevelopment(PBD)priorities
aregearedin:
1.Undertakingconvergenceinitiativeswithruraldevelopmentagenciestocomplementtheresources
andstreamlinetheeffortsofDAR,DAandDENR
2.Inkingpublicprivatepartnerships(PPPs)developmodelsofcollaborationandbusinessmodelsinAR
areaswiththeparticipationoftheCSOs,academe,researchanddevelopmentinstitutionsandLGUs
3.Expandingofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)portfolioinordertoaugmentincomesforPBD
4.IntegratingLTIandPBDonaprovincetoprovincebasis
5.ShiftingfocusoflowLADbalanceprovincestoPBDand
6.Unlockingcreditfacilitiesfortheagrarianreformbeneficiariesthroughcapacitydevelopmentforcredit
providersandfarmerborrowers.

TospeedupresolutionofARrelatedcases,theAgrarianJusticeDeliverycomponentisgearedat:
1.PuttingthelegalframeworkinplacetoexpeditetheLADprocessandundertakePBDlawyeringto
ensureARBsfreeandinformedconsentonagribusinessagreements
2.DevelopingcommontemplatesandlegaloutlinesinordertorationalizetheDARlawyersand
paralegalsappreciationanddecisiononcases
3.ImprovingthecapabilitiesofDARlawyersandlegalofficersand
4.Utilizinginformation,communicationtechnology(ICT)toenhancelegalwork.
TogetherwiththeeffortstofightgraftandcorruptionbythePresident,itisimperativetohave
institutionalreformswithinDARasacomplementtotheabovementionedDARcomponentsaswellas
givecredence,transparencyandaccountabilityatallsectorsoftheDARbureaucracy.
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