Home

DARPrograms

Announcement:EndofTermReportofSecretaryVirgiliodelosReyes

Secretary'sCorner LatestNews
March30,2017 187
Peacetalksensuregenuine
landreformMariano
Agrarian reform Secretary Rafael Ka
Paeng Mariano welcomes the fourth round
of formal peace negotiations between the
Government of the Republic of the
Philippines (GRP) and the National
Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)
set on April 2 to 6 in
ReadMore..

Mar29,2017 290
WhyisexPNoymumonslavelike
REGIONALPAGES conditionofsakadasin

TheCojuancoAquinoclanhasalotof
CAR explainingtodowhyCentralAzucarerade
RegionI Tarlac(CAT)allowedtheillegalrecruitment
ofsome1,000sakada(sugarcaneworkers)
RegionII fromMindanaoandsubjectedthese
RegionIII sakadatoslavewagesandslavelike
workingconditionsin
RegionIVA
ReadMore..
RegionIVB
RegionV
Mar25,2017 192
RegionVI
DuterteinstructsDARtoconferwithDavaofarmersonAVAs
NIR
RegionVII TAGUMCITY,DavaodelNorte(March25,2017)PresidentRodrigoDuterteinstructed
RegionVIII theDepartmentofAgrarianReform(DAR)throughthePresidentialAgrarianReform
CouncilExecutiveCommittee(PARCExcom)tomeetwithagrarianreformbeneficiaries
RegionIX (ARBs)
RegionX
RegionXI
RegionXII
ReadMore..
Caraga

Mar23,2017 463
DARInstallsFarmersInNegros
Occidental

TheDepartmentofAgrarianReform(DAR)
recentlyinstalled114agrarianreform
beneficiaries(ARBs)inthecitiesofLa
CarlotaandKabankalaninNegros
Occidental.ProvincialAgrarianReform
ProgramOfficerIILucreciaTabernasaid90
farmerswereinstalled
ReadMore..

ViewMoreNews

DARInTheNews

DARHistoricalBackground
In1978,whenthecountryadoptedtheparliamentaryformofgovernment,theDARwasrenamedMinistryofAgrarianReform.

OnJuly26,1987,theDepartmentbyvirtueofExecutiveOrderNo.129Awasorganizedstructurallyandfunctionally.ThisE.O.expandedthepowersandoperationsof
theDepartment.

OnSeptember27,2004,PresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyo,signedExecutiveOrderNo.364,andtheDepartmentofAgrarianReformwasrenamedtoDepartmentof
LandReform.ThisE.O.alsobroadenedthescopeoftheDepartment,makingitresponsibleforalllandreforminthecountry.ItalsoplacedthePhilippineCommissionon
UrbanPoor(PCUP)underitssupervisionandcontrol.Recognitionoftheownershipofancestraldomainbyindigenouspeoplesalsobecametheresponsibilityofthisnew
department,undertheNationalCommissiononIndigenousPeoples(NCIP).

OnAugust23,2005,PresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyosignedExecutiveOrderNo.456andrenamedtheDepartmentofLandReformbacktoDepartmentofAgrarian
Reform,since"theComprehensiveAgrarianReformLawgoesbeyondjustlandreformbutincludesthetotalityofallfactorsandsupportservicesdesignedtoliftthe
economicstatusofthebeneficiaries."

AtthepresentadministrationofPresidentBenignoSimeonNoynoyAquinoIII,theDARwhichistheleadagencyforCARPimplementationisbentonsustainingthe
gainsofagrarianreformthroughitsthreemajorcomponentsLandTenureImprovement(LTI),ProgramBeneficiariesDevelopment(PBD)andAgrarianJusticeDelivery
(AJD).

TogetherwiththeeffortstofightgraftandcorruptionbythePresident,itisimperativetohaveinstitutionalreformswithinDARasacomplementtotheabovementioned
DARcomponentsaswellasgivecredence,transparencyandaccountabilityatallsectorsoftheDARbureaucracy.hievedthroughagrarianreform.

AGRARIANREFORMHISTORY

UncoveringtheRootsofLandOwnershipProblems
PreColonialTimes(Before16thCentury)

ThePhilippines,evenbeforebeingcolonizedbydifferentcountries,alreadyhavedevelopedanorganizationfortheircommunities.Thelandownedbythesecommunities
isknownasbarangaywhichconsistsof30100familieswhichisadministeredbydifferentchiefs.

Inthesebarangays,everyoneregardlessofstatushadaccessonthelandandmutuallysharesresourcestotherestofthecommunity.Theybelievedinandpracticedthe
conceptofstewardshipwhererelationshipbetweenmanandnatureisimportant.

Landcultivationwasdonecommonlybykainginsystemortheslashandburnmethodwhereinlandwasclearedbyburningthebushesbeforeplantingthecropsoreither
landwasplowedandharrowedbeforeplanting.Ontheotherhand,foodproductionwasintendedforfamilyconsumptiononlyatfirstbutlateronneighboringcommunities
whereengagedinabartertrade,exchangingtheirgoodswithothers.Someeventradedtheiragriculturalproductswithluxuryitemsofsomeforeigntraderslikethe
Chinese,ArabsandEuropeans.

TheonlyrecordedtransactionoflandsaleduringthattimewastheMaragtasCode.ThisisthesellingofthePanayIslandtothetenBorneandatusinexchangefora
goldensalakotandalonggoldnecklace.AlthoughtheCodeofLuwaranwasoneoftheoldestwrittenlawsoftheMuslimsocietywhichcontainsprovisionontheleaseof
cultivatedlands,therewasnorecordhowtheleasearrangementwaspracticed.

SpanishEra(15211896)

WhentheSpanishcametothecountryin1521,theyintroducedpuebloanagriculturesystemwhereinthenativeruralcommunitieswereorganizedintopuebloandeach
Christianizednativefamilyisgivenfourtofivehectaresoflandtocultivate,thusthereisnolandlessclass.

Nonetheless,thesenativefamiliesaremerelylandholdersandnotlegitimatelandowners.Bylaw,thelandassignedtothemwasthepropertyoftheSpanishKingwhere
theypaytheircolonialtributestotheSpanishauthoritiesintheformofagriculturalproductsthattheyproduce.

Atthebeginningofthe19thcentury,thePhilippinesasacolonyofSpainimplementedpoliciesthatwouldmainstreamthecountryintotheworldofcapitalism.The
economywasopenedtotheworldmarketasexporterofrawmaterialsandimporteroffinishedgoods.Theagriculturalexportsweremandatedandhaciendasystemwas
developedasanewformofownership.Morepeoplelosttheirlandsandwereforcedtobecometillers.

AgriculturaltenancyduringthattimeoriginatedwhentheSpanishcrownimplementedtheLawsoftheIndies.Thelawawardsvasttractsoflandtothereligiousordersin
thecountry.SomeofthemareawardedtotheSpanishmilitaryasrewardfortheirservice(alsoknownasrepartiamentos),andtotheotherSpaniardsknownas
encomienderostomanageandhavetherighttoreceivetributesfromthenativestillingthelandalsoknownasencomiendas.Becauseofthis,thenativeswithinthese
areasbecamemeretillersworkingforashareofcrops.Theydidnotevenhaveanyrightstotheland.

IdeallythepurposeoftheencomiendasystemisfortheencomienderostoprotectthenativesandfurtherintroducethemintoCatholicfaithinexchangefortributefromthe
natives.Butabusiveencomienderoscollectedmoretributesthatbecamethelandrentalsfromthenativeslivinginthearea.

AcomprasyvandalassystemwaspracticedwhereintillersweremadetocompulsorysellataverylowpriceorsurrendertheiragriculturalharveststoSpanishauthorities
whereencomienderoscanresellitforaprofit.Peopleoftheencomiendaswerealsorequiredtorenderpersonalservicesonpublicandreligiousworkandasahousehold
helptotheencomienderos.

In1865,therewasalawmadebytheSpanishcrownorderinglandholderstoregistertheirlandholdingsbutonlyafewwereawareofthisdecreesotheyweretheonly
oneswhowereabletoregistertheirlands.Ancestrallandswereclaimedandregisteredinotherpeoplesnames(Spanishofficials,inquilinosandcaciquesorlocal
chieftains).Asaresult,manypeasantfamiliesweredrivenoutfromthelandstheyhavebeencultivatingforcenturiesorwereforcedtobecometillers.

In1893,theLeyHipotecariaortheMortgageLawwasintroducedthatprovidesthesystematicregistrationoftitlesanddeedsaswellasownershipclaims.Thislawwas
mainlyalawonregistrationofpropertiesratherthanamortgagelaw.

In1894,thelastSpanishLandLawpromulgatedinthePhilippineswasTheMauraLaworRoyalDecreeof1894.Thislawstatesthatfarmersandlandholdersweregiven
oneyeartoregistertheiragriculturallandstoavoiddeclarationofitasastateproperty.

WiththeencomiendasystemstillbeinguseddespitethedifferentlawspassedbytheSpanishcrownmoreandmoretillerswereabused,exploitedanddeprivedoftheir
rights.Therevolutionofpeasantsandfarmersin1896articulatedtheiraspirationsforagrarianreformandforajustsociety.Womenalsofoughtforfreedomandplayedan
importantroleintheplanningandimplementingtheactivitiesoftherevolutionarymovements.

Theresultofthisrevolutionhasmadethegovernmentconfiscatethelargelandedestates,especiallythefriarlandsanddeclaredtheselandsaspropertiesofthe
government.(MalolosConstitution,1896,ArticleXVII)

AmericanEra(18981935)

Realizingthatbeinglandlesswasthemaincauseofsocialunrestandrevoltatthattime,theAmericanssoughttoputanendtothemiserableconditionsofthetenant
tillersandsmallfarmersbypassingseverallandpoliciestowidenthebaseofsmalllandholdingsanddistributelandownershipamongthegreaternumberofFilipino
tenantsandfarmers.

Inconnectiontothis,thePhilippineBillof1902waspassedwhichprovidedregulationsonthedisposalofpubliclandswhereinaprivateindividualcanown16hectaresof
landwhilethecorporatelandholdingscanavailof1,024hectares.ThisalsogavetherightstotheAmericanstoownagriculturallands.

TheTorrenssystemoflandregistrationwasalsointroducedduringtheAmericancolonialperiod.Thiswasmadetoreplacetheregistrationsystemthatwasimplemented
bytheSpaniards.Thereasonwhytheymadeadifferentsystemofregistrationwasthatsome400,000nativefarmerswerewithouttitlesatthestartoftheAmericanera
andthissituationwasalsoaggravatedbytheabsenceofrecordsofissuedtitlesandaccuratelandsurveys.

TheLandRegistrationActof1902orActNo.496placedallprivateandpubliclandsunderTorrenssystem.WhiletheCadastralActorActNo.2259speedsupthe
issuanceofTorrenstitles.Thiswasdonebysurveyingamunicipalityandpresentedtheresulttothelandregistrationcourt.

AprogramcalledtheHomesteadProgramwasintroducedin1903thatallowedanenterprisingtenanttoacquireafarmofatleast16hectarestocultivate.However,the
programwasnotimplementednationwideandwasintroducedonlyinsomepartsofMindanaoandNorthernLuzon,wheretherewereavailablepublicalienableand
disposablelands.

TherearealsootheragrarianlawsthatwereintroducedduringtheAmericaneraliketheFirstPublicLandActorActNo.926whichprovidedrulesandregulationsfor
sellingandleasingportionsofthepublicdomain,completingdefectiveSpanishlandtitles,canceling,andconfirmingSpanishconcessions.AnotheristheSecondPublic
LandActof1919orAct2874whichlimitstheuseofagriculturallandstoFilipinos,Americans,andcitizensofothercountries.Ontheotherhand,theActNo.141
amendedtheSecondPublicActof1919orActNo.2874.TherevisionconsistsofatemporaryprovisionofequalityontherightsofAmericanandFilipinocitizensand
corporations.Italsocompiledallpreexistinglawsrelativetopubliclandsintoasingleinstrument.

ThereisalsotheFriarLandActorActNo.1120whichprovidedtheadministrativeandtemporaryleasingandsellingoffriarlandstoitstillers.Thefirstlegislation
regulatingtherelationshipsoflandlordandtenantsandthefirstlawtolegalizea5050cropsharingarrangementwasalsointroducedintheAmericaneraandisknownas
theRiceShareTenancyActof1933orActNo.4054.ThereisalsotheSugarcaneTenancyContractsActof1933orActNo.4113whichregulatedtherelationshipof
landlordandtenantsinthesugarcanefieldsandrequiredtenancycontractsonlandplantedtosugarcane.

However,despitethedifferentlandpoliciespassedduringthattime,thefarmerssituationdidnotimproveatall.Infact,itfurtherworsenedthelandownershipsituation,
wheretherewasnolimitonthesizeoflandholdingsonecouldpossess.Landholdingswereonceagainconcentratedinthehandsoffewerindividualswhocanaffordto
buy,register,andacquirefixedtitlesoftheirproperties.Therefore,morelandswereplacedundertenancy.

Asaresult,therewerewidespreadpeasantuprisings,headedbythearmedpeasantsgroupsknownasColorumandSakdalistaofLuzonandNortheasternMindanao
respectively.Theseuprisingsresultedtosocialdisorderin1920sand1930s.Hence,moremilitantpeasantsandworkersorganizationsbondedtogetherforamore
collectiveactionagainsttheabusesoflandlordsandunjustlandownershipsituation.ThisgavebirthtotheCommunistPartyofthePhilippines.

CommonwealthYears(19351942)

Duringtheseyearsthesituationoflandownershipandtenancywerecharacterizedbythecontrastingeconomicandpoliticallifestylebetweentenantandthelandlord.
Landlordsbecamericherandpowerfulwhilethetenantsweredeprivedoftheirrights,becamepoorerandabsenteelandownersincreased.Theypreferredtogoafternew
opportunitiesinthecitiesandlefttheirfarmsidletothemanagementofkatiwalas.Asaresult,haciendaswerepoorlyandunjustlymanaged.

Asmallplotoflandcultivatedbyanaveragepeasantfarmercouldnotsustainadecentlivingforhisfamily.Tenantsandfarmersshoulderedexcessivefines,unfair
taxationandusury.Systemsforcreditandmarketingofricewerelackingthus,farmersreceivedaverylowsellingprice.

Consequently,peasantuprisingbecamewidespreadalloverthecountry.

Asaresponsetothesesituations,thegovernmentunderthestewardshipofPresidentQuezonrealizedthatlandreformprogramsshouldbeimplementedimmediately.
Theysawthepurchaseoffriarlandsasapossiblewaytosolvetheproblemofinequitablelandownership.TheyalsosawthattheHomesteadprogramcouldbe
transformedintoamassiveresettlementprogram,ifproperlyimplemented.

JapaneseEra

DuringtheJapaneseoccupation,peasantsandworkersorganizedtheHUKBALAHAP(HukbongBayanLabansamgaHapon)onMarch29,1942asanantiJapanese
group.Theytookovervasttractsoflandandgavethelandtothepeople.

Forthem,thewarwasagoldenopportunityforpeoplesinitiativetopushpropoorprograms.Landlordswereoverpoweredbythepeasantsbutunfortunatelyattheendof
thewar,throughthehelpofthemilitarypoliceandcivilianguards,landlordswereabletoretrievetheirlandsfromtheHUKBALAHAP.

EvolutionofInitiativesonLandReform

ManuelL.Quezon(19351944)

SomeoftheAgrarianReformlawswerepassedduringtheadministrationofManuelL.Quezon:

RA4054ortheRiceTenancyLawwasthefirstlawoncropsharingwhichlegalizedthe5050sharebetweenlandlordandtenantwithcorrespondingsupporttotenants
protectingthemagainstabusesoflandlords.However,thislawwashardlyimplementedbecausemostofthemunicipalcouncilswerecomposedofpowerfulhacienderos
andbiglandlords.Infact,onlyonemunicipalitypassedaresolutionforitsenforcementandmajoritieshavepetitioneditsapplicationtotheGovernorGeneral.
The1935Constitutionprovidedspecificprovisionsonsocialjusticeandexpropriationoflandedestatesfordistributiontotenantsasasolutiontothelandownershipand
tenancyproblems.

CommonwealthActNo.461specifiedthatdismissalofatenantshouldfirsthavetheapprovalofTenancyDivisionoftheDepartmentofJustice.
CommonwealthActNo.608wasenactedtoestablishsecurityoftenurebetweenlandlordandtenant.Itprohibitedthecommonpracticeamonglandownersofejecting
tenantswithoutclearlegalgrounds.
PresidentQuezonsprogramonlandreformincludesmakingalaiddownsocialjusticeprogramthatfocusedonthepurchasedoflargehaciendaswhichweredividedand
soldtotenants.ThisadministrationwasalsoresponsibleinestablishingtheNationalRiceandCornCorporation(NARICC)andassigningpublicdefenderstoassist
peasantsincourtbattlesfortheirrightstotilltheland.

Duringthisperiod,theCourtofIndustrialRelations(CIR)wassetuptoexercisejurisdictionoverdisagreementsarisingfromagriworkersandlandownerrelationship.It
wasalsoduringthistimethattheRiceTenancyAct(ActNo.4054)wasamended.

TheHomesteadProgramcontinuedthroughthecreationoftheNationalLandSettlementAdministration(CANo.441)andtenancyproblemswerecoveredthroughCA
Nos.461and608.

ButtheimplementationoflandreformduringQuezonsadministrationwashinderedbecauseofthebudgetallocationforthesettlementprogrammadeitimpossibleforthe
programtosucceed.AlsomostlandlordsdidnotcomplywiththeRiceShareTenancyAct.Widespreadpeasantuprisingagainstabusivelandlordsalsocontinued.In
addition,theoutbreakoftheWorldWarIIputastoppedtothelandownershipandtenancyinterventionsduringthisperiod.

ManuelRoxas(19461948)

TheRepublicActNo.34waspassedduringtheadministrationofManuelRoxasanditenactedtoestablisha7030sharingarrangementbetweentenantandlandlord.The
70%oftheharvestwillgotothepersonwhoshoulderedtheexpensesforplanting,harvestingandfortheworkanimals.Withthis,itreducedtheinterestoflandowners
loanstotenantsatnotmorethan6%.

PresidentRoxasalsonegotiatedforthepurchaseof8,000hectaresoflandsinBatangasownedbytheAyalaZobelfamily.Theseweresoldtolandlessfarmers.

However,duetolackofsupportfacilities,thefarmerswereforcedtoreselltheirlandstothelandowningclass.Thisfailuregavebasistodoubttherealmeaningofland
reformprogram.

ElpidioR.Quirino(19481953)

InElpidioQuirinosadministrations,theExecutiveOrderNo.355,theLandSettlementDevelopmentCorporation(LASEDECO)wasestablishedtoaccelerateandexpand
thepeasantresettlementprogramofthegovernment.However,duetolimitedpostwarresources,theprogramwasnotsuccessful.

 RamonMagsaysay(19531957)

WhenPresidentMagsaysaywaselectedasthepresidentofthecountryherealizedtheimportanceofpursuingamorehonesttogoodnesslandreformprogram.Sohe
convincedtheelitecontrolledcongresstopassseverallegislationtoimprovethelandreformsituationinthecounty.Someoftheseare:

R.A.No.1199(1954):AgriculturalTenancyActbasicallygovernedtherelationshipbetweenlandholdersandtenantfarmers.Thislawhelpedprotectthetenurerightsof
tenanttillersandenforcedfairtenancypractices.

R.A.No.1160(1954):FreedistributionofResettlementandRehabilitationandAgriculturallandandanActestablishingtheNationalResettlementandRehabilitation
Administration(NARRA).

R.A.No.1400(1955):LandReformActorknownasLandtotheLandlessProgramwhichsoughtimprovementinlandtenureandguaranteedtheexpropriationofall
tenantedlandedestates.

R.A.No.1266(1955)ExpropriationofHaciendadelRosario,situatedatValdefuente,CabanatuanCity

HeimplementedtheAgriculturalTenancyActbyestablishingtheCourtofAgriculturalRelationsin1955toimprovetenancysecurity,fixthelandrentalsontenantedfarms
andtoresolvethemanylanddisputesfiledbythelandownersandpeasantorganizations.

HealsocreatedtheAgriculturalTenancyCommissiontoadministerproblemsarisingfromtenancy.ThroughthisCommission28,000hectareswereissuedtosettlers.

UnderPresidentMagsaysaytheAgriculturalCreditandCooperativeFinancingAdministration(ACCFA)wascreated.Thisisagovernmentagencyformedtoprovide
warehousefacilitiesandassistfarmersmarkettheirproductsandestablishedtheorganizationoftheFarmersCooperativesandMarketingAssociations(FACOMAs).

WiththepassingofRA1160of1954,PresidentMagsaysaypursuedtheresettlementprogramthroughtheNationalResettlementandRehabilitationAdministration
(NARRA).Thislawestablishedthegovernmentsresettlementprogramandacceleratedthefreedistributionofagriculturallandstolandlesstenantsandfarmers.It
particularlyaimedtoconvincemembersoftheHUKBALAHAPmovementtoreturntoapeacefullifebygivingthemhomelotsandfarmlands.

ThisadministrationalsospearheadedtheestablishmentoftheAgriculturalandIndustrialBanktoprovideeasiertermsinapplyingforhomesteadandotherfarmland.

Withalltheprogramsandbillspassedunderhisadministration,outofthetargeted300haciendasfordistribution,only41weredistributedafterits7yearsof
implementation.Thiswasduetolackoffundsandinadequatesupportservicesprovidedfortheseprograms.

Asaresult,landlordscontinuedtobeuncooperativeandcriticaltotheprogramandlandownershipandtenancyproblemscontinued.

CarlosP.Garcia(19571961)

TherewasnolegislationpassedinCarlosGarciastermbuthecontinuedtoimplementthelandreformprogramsofPresidentMagsaysay.

 DiosdadoMacapagal(19611965)

ItwasduringDiosdadoMacapagalthattheAgriculturalLandReformCodeorRANo.3844wasenacted,morespecificallyonAugust8,1963.Thiswasconsideredtobe
themostcomprehensivepieceofagrarianreformlegislationeverenactedinthecountrythattime.Becauseofthis,PresidentDiosdadoMacapagalwasconsideredasthe
FatherofAgrarianReform.

diosdadomacapagalTheRANo.3844wasconsideredassuchbecausethisActabolishedsharetenancyinthePhilippines.Itprescribedaprogramconvertingthetenant
farmerstolesseesandeventuallyintoownercultivators.Moreover,itaimedtofreetenantsfromthebondageoftenancyandgavehopetopoorFilipinofarmerstoownthe
landtheyaretilling.Finally,itemphasizedownercultivatorrelationshipandfarmerindependence,equity,productivityimprovementandthepublicdistributionofland.

However,thelandedCongressdidnotprovideefforttocomeupwithaseparatebilltoprovidefundingforitsimplementation.Theactwaspilotedintheprovincesof
Pangasinan,Bulacan,NuevaEcija,Pampanga,Tarlac,OccidentalMindoro,CamarinesSurandMisamisOriental.Itacquiredatotalof18,247.06hectaresor99.29%out
ofthetotalscopeof18,377.05hectares.Theprogrambenefited7,466farmerbeneficiaries.(BLADDAROfficialRecords)

FerdinandE.Marcos(19651986)

WhenPresidentMarcosassumedoffice,heimmediatelydirectedthemassiveimplementationoftheleaseholdphaseofthelandreformprogrambysigningintolawthe
CodeofAgrarianReformsinthePhilippinesorRANo.6389anditscompanionbillRANo.6390.TheCodeofAgrarianReformsorRANo.6389governedthe
implementationoftheagrarianreforminthePhilippines.ThislawinstitutedtheCodeofAgrarianReformsandsignificantlyamendedseveralprovisionsofAgriculturalLand
ReformCodeorRA3844ofPresidentMacapagal.ItcreatedtheDepartmentofAgrarianReform,aseparateadministrativeagencyforagrarianreform,replacingtheLand
Authority.

RA6390wasenactedtoacceleratetheimplementationoftheoftheagrarianreformprograminthefieldsoflandacquisitionandagriculturalcredit.ThroughtheCode,an
ARSpecialAccountintheGeneralFundwascreatedthatexclusivelyfinancetheagrarianreformprogram.

ThecoreoftheAgrarianReformProgramofPresidentMarcoswasPresidentialDecreeNo.2,proclaimingtheentirecountryasalandreformareaandPresidentialDecree
No.27,decreeingtheemancipationoftenantsfromthebondageofsoil,transferringtothemtheownershipofthelandtheytillandprovidingtheneededinstrumentsand
mechanisms.Thislawprovidedfortenantedlandsdevotedtoriceandcorntopassownershiptothetenants.Italsoloweredtheceilingsforlandholdingsto7hectares.
Thelawstipulatedthatsharetenantswhoworkedfromalandholdingofover7hectarescouldpurchasethelandtheytilled,whilesharetenantsonlandlessthan7
hectareswouldbecomeleaseholders.

Thisagrarianreformprogramwasdesignedtoupliftthefarmersfrompovertyandignoranceandtomakethemuseful,dignified,responsibleandprogressivepartnersin
nationbuilding.ThisARprogramwasapackageofservicesextendedtofarmersintheformofcreditsupport,infrastructure,farmextension,legalassistance,
electrificationanddevelopmentofruralinstitutions.

PresidentMarcosAgrarianReformProgramischaracterizedbyfivemajorcomponentsandtheseareLandTenureProgram,InstitutionalDevelopment,Physical
Development,AgriculturalDevelopment,andHumanResources.

TheAgrarianReformProgramswasalsolabeledasrevolutionarybysomesectorsbecauseitwaspursuedunderMartialLawandintendedtomakequickchanges
withoutgoingthroughlegislativeortechnicalprocessesandanotherreasonisthatitwastheonlylawinthePhilippineseverdoneinhandwriting.

Nevertheless,theprogramalsoposedsomelimitationswhichincludeslimitedscopeoftheprogramsinceitwasonlydirectedforthetenanted,privatelyownedriceand
cornlandstherewasmonopolyofbusinessmeninbothcoconutandsugarindustriesforeignandlocalfirmswereallowedtouselargetracksoflandfortheirbusiness
andbecauseofthedeclarationofMartialLawseveralfarmerleaderswerearrestedwithoutdueprocessoflaw.

 CorazonC.Aquino(19861992)

The1987PhilippineConstitutionsetthedirectionofagrarianreformintheAquinoadministration.The1987ConstitutionaffirmedthatTheStateshallpromote
comprehensiveruraldevelopmentandagrarianreform.(Article2,Section21)

WhenPresidentCoryAquinoseatedasthePresidentofthecountry,severallegislationsandissuancesonAgrarianReformwerepassed.Someofthemare:

Proclamation131institutedtheComprehensiveAgrarianReformProgram(CARP)asamajorprogramofthegovernment.Itprovidedforaspecialfundknownasthe
AgrarianReformFund(ARF)intheamountof50billionpesostocovertheestimatedcostoftheprogramfortheperiod19871997.

EO129AreorganizedtheDepartmentofAgrarianReformandexpandedinpowerandoperations.ItisknownthattherecordandlegacyoftheAquinoAdministrationin
AgrarianReformistheExecutiveSummary,PlanningService,andDAR.

EO228declaredfullownershipofthelandtoqualifiedfarmerbeneficiariescoveredbyPD27.Italsoregulatedthevalueofremainingriceandcornlandsforcoverage
providedforthemannerofpaymentbythefarmerbeneficiariesandthemodeofcompensationtothelandowners.

EO229providedtheadministrativeprocessesforlandregistrationorLISTASAKAprogram,acquisitionofprivatelandandcompensationproceduresforlandowners.It
specifiedthestructureandfunctionsofunitsthatwillcoordinateandsupervisetheimplementationoftheprogram.

RA6657orComprehensiveAgrarianReformLawisanactinstitutingacomprehensiveagrarianreformprogramtopromotesocialjusticeandIndustrialization,providing
themechanismforitsimplementationandforotherpurposes.

TostrengthenCARPandfasttrackitsimplementation,PresidentAquinoissuedthefollowingExecutiveOrders(EO):

E.O.No.405gavetheLandBankofthePhilippinestheprimaryresponsibilityforthelandvaluationfunctioninorderforDARtoconcentrateitseffortsontheidentification
oflandholdingsandbeneficiaries,thedistributionofacquiredlands,andtheothersubcomponentsoftheprogram.

E.O.No.406emphasizedthatCARPiscentraltothegovernmentseffortstohastencountrysideagroindustrialdevelopmentanddirectedtheimplementingagenciesto
aligntheirrespectiveprogramsandprojectswithCARP.

ThiscreatedCARPimplementingteamsfromthenationaltothemunicipallevelsandgavepriorityto24strategicoperatingprovinceswherethebulkofCARPworkload
lies.

E.O.No.407directedallgovernmentfinancinginstitutions(GFIs)andgovernmentownedandcontrolledcorporations(GOCCs)toimmediatelytransfertoDARalltheir
landholdingssuitableforagriculture.

E.O.No.448pursuedthepolicythatgovernmentshouldleadtheeffortsinplacinglandsforcoverageunderCARP.Itdirectedtheimmediateturnoverofgovernment
reservations,nolongerneeded,andthataresuitableforagriculture.

SomeoftheaccomplishmentsachievedduringtheAquinoadministrationwithregardstotheimplementationoftheAgrarianReformProgramsarethegrantsand
budgetarysupportfromofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)circlespouredinduringthisadministration.Varioussectorslikewiserecognizedagrarianreformasa
worthwhilesocialinvestment.Intermsofthetenanttillerstatus,itimprovedparticularlythosewithinlandownersretainedareasoronlandholdingssubjectforcoverage.

Itisalsoduringthisadministrationthatthepresentadjudicationsystemwasintroduced.ThisgaveDARtheoriginalandexclusivejurisdictionoveragrariandisputesas
quasijudicialpowers.

Also,thelivelihoodandagroindustrialprojectspromotedandtheprogramofsupportserviceswereintensifiedtohelpfarmerbeneficiariesbecomeproductiveand
transformthemintoentrepreneurs.

Theadministrationreceivedmuchsupportandactiveinvolvementinprogramimplementationfromkeystakeholderssuchaspeoplesorganization,farmersassociation,
NGOsandfromprominentlandownersthemselves.

Ontheotherhand,theadministrationalsofacechallengesintheimplementationofCARPforexampleonlandevaluation,oneveryspecificcaseistheGarchitorenaland
scam.Therewerealsoissuesontheabsenceofaclearcutguidelinethatwouldanswerproblemsonlanduseconversion.Minimaleffortswereexertedtodiscouraged
and/orpreventconversionoflandsintootheruse.

DespitetheAgrarianReformFund(ARF),theadministrationexperiencedamajorbudgetaryshortfallduetolowremittancesfromtheAssetPrivatizationTrustandthe
PresidentialCommissiononGoodGovernment.

TheadministrationalsoexperiencedconstantchangesinDARleadership.Thisledtolackofcontinuityofpriority,programsandprojects.
Allegationonlackofpoliticalwillsleadershipandgenuinecommitmenttoimplementtheprogram.CriticssaythatthePresidentcouldhaveimplementedagenuine
agrarianreformprogrambecauseofherrevolutionarypowersafterPeoplePowerI.

FidelV.Ramos(19921998)

TheRamosadministrationisrecognizedforbringingbacksupportofkeystakeholdersofCARPbybridgingcertainpolicygapsonlandacquisitionanddistribution,land
evaluation,andcaseresolution.ItisalsocreditedforenhancinginternaloperatingsystemsandstrengtheningthecapabilitiesoftheDARbureaucracyandfortappingmore
resourcestohelpimplementtheprogram.

Duringthistimeguidelinesandprocedureswereformulatedtofacilitateacquisitionanddistributionoflands:

DARAONo.2(1992)consistsofrulesandproceduresgoverningthedistributionofcancelledorexpiredpastureleaseagreementsandTimberLicenseAgreementsunder
EO407.

DARAONo.1(1993)istheamendmenttocertainprovisionsoftheAdministrativeOrderNo.9Seriesof1990,entitledRevisedRulesandRegulationsGoverningthe
AcquisitionofAgriculturalLandsSubjectofVoluntaryOffertoSellandCompulsoryAcquisitionPursuanttoRA6657.

JointDARLBPAONo.3(1994)isthepolicyguidelinesandproceduresgoverningtheacquisitionanddistributionofagriculturallandsaffectedbytheMt.Pinatubo
eruption.

DARAONo.1(1995)consistsoftherulesandproceduresgoverningtheAcquisitionandDistributionofallAgriculturalLandsSubjectofSequestration/Acquisitionbythe
PCGGandAPTwhoseownershipinUnderCourtLitigation.

DARAONo.2(1995)istherevisedrulesandproceduresgoverningtheAcquisitionofPrivateAgriculturalLandsSubjectofVoluntaryLandTransferoraDirectPayment
Scheme(VLT/DPS)PursuanttoRA6657.

DARAONo.2(1996)istherulesandregulationsgoverningtheAcquisitionofAgriculturalLandssubjectofVoluntaryOffertoSellandCompulsoryAcquisitionPursuantto
RA6657.

DARAONo.2(1997)istherulesandregulationsfortheAcquisitionofPrivateAgriculturalLandsSubjectofMortgageorForeclosureofMortgage.

DARAONo.8(1997)istherevisedguidelinesontheAcquisitionandDistributionofCompensableAgriculturalLandsunderVLT/DirectPaymentScheme.

DARMCNo.7(1993)referstotheimplementingguidelinesontheDistributionandTillingofthePublicAgriculturalLandsturnedoverbytheNationalLivelihoodand
SupportFundtotheDARfordistributionundertheCARPpursuanttoEO407,Seriesof1990asamendedbyEO448,Seriesof1991andasclarifiedunderMemorandum
OrderNo.107ofthePresidentofthePhilippinesdatedMarch23,1993.

Despiteallofthese,therearechallengesthattheadministrationfacedduringimplementationoftheprogram.Oneofwhichisthefailureinenforcingtheinstallationof
somefarmerbeneficiariesonawardedlands.CriticsalsosaythatnonphysicalinstallationofFBshasbeenthenormratherthantheexception.

Somesectorsalsocomplainedontheslownessofthisadministrationintheacquisitionanddistributionofprivatelyownedlands.Althoughthisadministrationwascredited
forhavingthebiggestaccomplishmentintermsofLAD,criticssaythisisbecausethelandacquiredanddistributedweremoreonpubliclandsandriceandcornlands.

 JosephEjercitoEstrada(19982001)

DuringthisadministrationtheMagkabalikatParasakaunlarangAgraryo(MAGKASAKA)whichwaslaunchedwhichisdirectedfortheinvestorstobringincapital,
technologyandmanagementsupportwhilethefarmerswillcontribute,atmost,theuseoftheirlanditself.

TheMAGKASAKAaimstoencourageinvestorstobringinvestmentsintothecountrysideandtoenhancetheincomeofthefarmersthroughjointventureschemesand
contractgrowingschemes.Theprogramalsoaimstoenablethefarmerstobemoreefficientandbegloballycompetitive.

Thisadministrationsawtheurgencyoflanddistribution,andbelievedthatitcanbeservedifitisbuiltonfarmerscapacitiestopursuetheirowndevelopment.Oneofthe
firstthingsthisadministrationdidwastoreworkperformancetargetsbyfocusingonthenumberofhectaresoflanddistributedcoupledwithanaccountingoffarmer
beneficiariesandthespecificcroplandsandfarmsystemscovered.Thisapproachsoughttointegratelanddistributionandsupportservices.Itwasduringthisperiodthat
DARlaunchedaseriesoflandoccupationsbyworkingwithfarmerclaimants,theLGUandgovernmentsecurityforces.

Tohelpspeeduplitigation,DARalsohelpedsetuptheagrarianjusticefundforfarmerbeneficiariesaswellasDARfieldworkerswho,duetothenatureofthejob,are
namedasrespondentsincasesfiledbyrecalcitrantlandowners.Supportservicestookamuchmoreentrepreneurialapproachduringthisadministration.Sustainablerural
developmentdistrictprogram,weredesignedtohelpfarmersattainalevelofeconomicviability.

IthasforgedalliancesamongcountriesimplementingARthroughtheInternationalConferenceonAgrarianReformandRuralDevelopment.Thedepartmentthenbegan
aggressivelytoassertitsplaceinnationaldevelopmentplanningprocessestoraiseDARsprofilebothinnationalandinternationalfora.Withthis,DARwasabletosecure
aseatintheannualconsultativegroupmeetingbetweenthePhilippinesseconomicmanagementteamandthedonorcommunity.ThisperiodalsolaunchedtheDARDA
DENRconvergenceinitiative.

Buttherewerealsosomehindrancesthattheadministrationfacedlikethefiscalconstraintsencounteredthatresultedtounpaidordelayedpaymentoflandowners
coveredunderthecompulsoryacquisitionandVOSschemes.

TherewerealsoissuesoninterandintraARBsconflictsduetoargumentsforcontrolovernegotiationswithprospectivejointventurepartners,someofwhichbecame
violent.

GloriaMacapagalArroyo(20012010)

TheGMAadministrationhasadoptedtheBAYANANIHANconceptastheimplementingframeworkforCARP.BayanmeanspeopleandAnihanmeansharvestand
Bayanihanmeansworkingtogether.AppliedtoCARP,BayanAnihanmeansaunitedpeopleworkingtogetherforthesuccessfulimplementationofagrarianreform.

TheBayanAnihanFrameworkhasdifferentimplementingstrategiesnamely:

SalinLupa:Acceleratinglandtransferandimprovinglandtenure.

Katarungan:Promptandfairsettlementofagrariandisputesanddeliveryofagrarianreformjustice.

Bayanihan:BetterdeliverybythegovernmentofappropriatesupportservicestoARBsandthemobilizationoftheARBsthemselvesinthetransformationoftheagrarian
reformcommunitiesintoanagrarianreformzonesandintoprogressivefarming.

KabayanihanortheKonsehongBayanParasaAnihan:InstitutionalizationnotonlyofthesystemofdialogueandconsultationbutalsojointproblemsolvingwithAR
stakeholders,particularlypeoplesorganizations,cooperativesandNGOs.

Kamalayan:RaisingtheawarenessofDARpersonnel,agrarianreformbeneficiariesandthegeneralpubliconagrarianreformanditscontributiontosocialjusticeand
development.

UnderArroyosadministrationintroducedtheKapitBisigsaKahirapanAgrarianReformZones(KARZONEs)asaprogramstrategyoftheDARinCARPImplementation.
KARZONEsisapartnershipandconvergencestrategyaimedatachievingassetreform,povertyreduction,foodsufficiency,farmproductivity,goodgovernance,social
equityandempowermentofagrarianreformbeneficiaries(ARBs)bothinARCsandnonARCs.

OtherspecificprogramsunderthisadministrationtoenhanceCARPwerealsoimplementedliketheGulayanMagsasakangAgraryo.Thisintendstoaddincomeandfood
securitytofarmersandtheircommunities.EducationalopportunitieswerealsousheredintofarmerschildrenanddependentsthroughtheDiosdadoMacapagalScholar
Program.

Thisadministrationisalsocreditedinheighteningagrariancaseresolutionbyintroducingaquotasystemtocompeladjudicatorstoworkfasteronagrariancasesandtrain
farmersintoparalegals.

 BenignoSimeonNoynoyC.AquinoIII(2010uptopresent)

UnderthegovernanceofPresidentNoynoyAquino,theDARwhichistheleadagencyforCARPimplementationisbentonsustainingthegainsofagrarianreformthrough
itsthreemajorcomponentsLandTenureImprovement(LTI),ProgramBeneficiariesDevelopment(PBD)andAgrarianJusticeDelivery(AJD).Thefollowingarethe
strategicdirectionsoftheAquinoAdministrationfortheagrarianreformprogram:

TosubstantiallycompleteassetreformasmandatedbyR.A.No.9700by:

1.Completingthelandacquisitionanddistribution(LAD)intheComprehensiveAgrarianReformProgramExtensionwithReforms(CARPER)orRepublicAct9700balance
through:FocusonlargesizedprivateagriculturallandsRedeploymentofcompetentDARpersonneltothe20highLADprovincesStreamlineLADprocessesand
proceduresandEnhancethedatabaseoflandholdingsforeaseintargetingandmonitoringtheLAD

2.PrioritizingthesubdivisionofcollectiveCertificatesofLandOwnershipAwards(CLOAs)involvingLBPcompensablelands

3.Fasttrackingthedocumentationandsettlementoflandownercompensationforalreadydistributedlands

4.SynergizingandrationalizingtheeffortsoftheCARPimplementingagenciesinallprocessesofLAD

5.Partneringwiththecivilsocietyorganizations(CSOs)inthedeliveryofLTIservices,particularlythelargesizedprivateagriculturallands(PAL)

6.AdoptingajobsharingschemewhereinundertheONEDARconcept,provinceswillshareresponsibilities(lowLADprovinceswithhighLADprovinces)tominimizethe
needtohirenewpersonneland

7.Increasingtheutilizationoftheservicesofgeodeticengineerstoassisttheprovincialandmunicipalofficesinlandacquisitionconsideringthedifficultyofhiringnew
personnelandthedemandsofapost2014scenario.

UnderPresidentAquinosadministration,theDARsProgramBeneficiariesDevelopment(PBD)prioritiesaregearedin:

1.UndertakingconvergenceinitiativeswithruraldevelopmentagenciestocomplementtheresourcesandstreamlinetheeffortsofDAR,DAandDENR

2.Inkingpublicprivatepartnerships(PPPs)developmodelsofcollaborationandbusinessmodelsinARareaswiththeparticipationoftheCSOs,academe,researchand
developmentinstitutionsandLGUs

3.Expandingofficialdevelopmentassistance(ODA)portfolioinordertoaugmentincomesforPBD

4.IntegratingLTIandPBDonaprovincetoprovincebasis

5.ShiftingfocusoflowLADbalanceprovincestoPBDand

6.Unlockingcreditfacilitiesfortheagrarianreformbeneficiariesthroughcapacitydevelopmentforcreditprovidersandfarmerborrowers.

TospeedupresolutionofARrelatedcases,theAgrarianJusticeDeliverycomponentisgearedat:

1.PuttingthelegalframeworkinplacetoexpeditetheLADprocessandundertakePBDlawyeringtoensureARBsfreeandinformedconsentonagribusiness
agreements

2.DevelopingcommontemplatesandlegaloutlinesinordertorationalizetheDARlawyersandparalegalsappreciationanddecisiononcases

3.ImprovingthecapabilitiesofDARlawyersandlegalofficersand

4.Utilizinginformation,communicationtechnology(ICT)toenhancelegalwork.

TogetherwiththeeffortstofightgraftandcorruptionbythePresident,itisimperativetohaveinstitutionalreformswithinDARasacomplementtotheabovementioned
DARcomponentsaswellasgivecredence,transparencyandaccountabilityatallsectorsoftheDARbureaucracy.

Tweet Like 18
 GOVERNANCE ISSUANCES
Trans parenc y Seal Commonwealt h A c t s

C itiz ens C harter P res ident ial Dec rees

GenderandD ev elopment Republic A c t s

N ationalC onv ergenc eInitiativ e E x ec ut iv e Orders

PAy apaandMas agangPamay aN An(PAMAN A) Memorandum Circ ulars

A dminis t rat iv e Orders

DOWNLOADS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Forms Not ic es of Cov erage

CARPERLAD B ids and Awards

LandUs eConv er s ion Calendar of A c t iv it es

Pr oc ur ement S c holars hip

DAR APEC

Lis tofCanc elledTitles

P ublic at ions

E nd of Term Report of S ec ret ary Virgilio de los Rey es

PowerpointPresentationsduringtheconduct
ofThematicSummitonFoodSecurity,LandTenure
ImprovementandEnvironmentalProtection

PORTALS
A RB P ort al

S upplier/ Mark et P ort al

A gri Credit P ort al

A gri E x t ens ion P ort al

B us ines s Dev elopment P ort al

B alink B ay an

I nv es t ment Opport unit ies

DARESystems

LTI PBD AJD GIS

LTIOperationalTool(LTIOpTool)
LTIReports(comingsoon)

Allmaterialsdownloadedfromthiswebsite(www.dar.gov.ph)areconsidereduncontrolleddocuments.

Copyright2013DepartmentofAgrarianReform.Allrightsreserved.CARPRA6657CARPERRA9700
We b s ite D e s ig n S e rv ic e