AGRARIAN REFORM POLICIES The Public Land Act of 1902 which became effective

on July 26, 1904 offered homestead plot not in

Agrarian Reform is concerned with the total excess of 16 hectares to families who had occupied
development of the farmer’s economic, social and and cultivated the tract they were residing on since
political transformation. It is defined as the August 1, 1898.
rectification of the whole system of Agriculture.
Indeed, the agrarian problem festered for so long
Agrarian Condition in the Philippines time that the 1935 Constitution incorporated a
cardinal principle on social justice to insure the well-
For a long period of time, the agrarian system of
being and economic security of all the people.
Philippines was being controlled by the large
landlords. The small farmers in Philippines were THE PRESENT REPUBLIC
struggling for their rights to land and other natural
resources. After the independence of July 4, 1946 the need for
land reform became pressing.
PRE-SPANISH PERIOD
In 1946, Pres. Manuel Roxas enacted RA No 34 of
● There is no system of land ownership. 1946, providing for a 70-30 crops sharing
● Rudimentary form of private ownership was arrangements and regulating share-tenancy
practiced. contracts.

SPANISH PERIOD September 1954, Pres. Ramon Magsaysay signed

into law RA No. 1199, as amended by RA No. 2263
Spain declared all lands in the Philippines a part of
which allowed for the division of the crops.
public domain regardless of local customs.
In 1963, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal signed into law
The “Encomienda System” was introduced by the
RA No. 3844 otherwise known as the Agricultural
Spaniards. Encomenderos must defend his
Land Reform Code, abolition of share tenancy and
encomienda from external attack, maintain peace
the imposition of agricultural leasehold system.
and order within, and support the missionaries. In
turn, the encomendero acquired the right to collect On September 21, 1972, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos
tribute from the indios (native). issued Presidential Decree No. 2, declaring the entire
the Philippines as land reform area.
The Share tenancy or the “Kasama System” came
also into existence. Large landholders leased Under the New Constitution, the primary governing
portions of their landed estates to intermediaries, law on agrarian reform is RA No. 6657, otherwise
who, in turn, rented out parcels to peasants. known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law
of 1988.
At the close of Spanish Period, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
confiscated the friar lands and gave it to landless RESISTANCE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
peasants. AGRARIAN REFORM

AMERICAN PERIOD 1. Fragmentation of farm-holdings- with the

institution of land reform big landholding is divided
At the beginning of the period, Spanish land records
among tenant farmers into a family size land which
that had existed were either destroyed or lost, leaving
is 3 hectares
the legal situation with regard to holdings very
complicated. 2. Small farms became less productive- In the micro
level, the farmers become more productive. The
From 1903 to 1938 there was increase in tenancy
farmers can rely on their products from daily
rate and land ownership decreased.
subsistence. However, in the macro level, the people
will suffer because there will be few production for 3. Religious Aspect- When God created earth, He
national consumptions. gives it all to His children. He sees to it that
everything He made are used and enjoyed by the
3. Ineffective government programs- most of the people.
programs initiated by the government on agrarian
reforms and cooperatives are ineffective due to the 4. Moral Aspect- The ignorant and poor farmers are
inefficiency of the people implementing the program. abuse. Therefore, it is the moral obligation of the
government to bring about peace and prosperity to
4. Agrarian reforms failed in the past - failure of the our country.
program may be attributed to the following:
5. Legal Aspect- As part of the government’s moral
a. Big landholdings are owned by elite politicians and obligation, it has formulate laws that will effect
relatives agrarian reforms.

b. Failure of the government to provide measures 6. Political Aspects- Agrarian reform is ultimately the
that will assist the farmers; product of deliberate political decisions. Henceforth,
agrarian reform must be the highest priority of
c. Graft and corruption; and
government programs.
d. Lack of unity and cooperation among farmers.
COMPONENTS OF AGRARIAN REFORM
IMPORTANT LAND REFORMS
Land Distribution- considered as the very foundation
of Agrarian Reform. By virtue of this component, the
1. It will diffuse tension existing between tenant-
farmers are given the chance to become owners of
farmers and landlords;
the land they are tilling.
2. It will give the farmers a dignified existence in our
Support Services- These are services undertaken by
society;
the government to assist the farmers after
3. It will bring social justice; redistribution.

4. It will increase the efficiency and productivity of 2.1 Irrigation facilities;

the farmers;
2.2 Infrastructure development and public works
5. It will help solve unemployment; projects in areas and settlements that come under
agrarian reform.
6. It will increase food production;
2.3 Price support and guarantee for all agricultural
7. It will enhance the living conditions of the poor produce;
farmers; and
2.4 Extending to small landowners, farmers, and
8. It will correct the imbalance in our society where farmer’s organizations the necessary credit like
concentrations of land, wealth and political power concessional and collateral-free loans for agro
are in the hands of a few. industrialization based on social collaterals like the
guarantees of farmer’s organization
ASPECTS OF AGRARIAN REFORM
THE COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM LAW OF
1. Economic Aspect- Agrarian reform will help 1988
improve agricultural productivity to accelerate
general economic development. CARP stands for the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program, a government initiative that aims
2. Socio-cultural Aspect- Agrarian reform gives to grant landless farmers and farm workers
significant social change in the community. ownership of agricultural lands. It was signed into
law by President Corazon C. Aquino on June 10, The Constitution is the guide which I will never
1988, and was scheduled to have been completed in abandon (George Washington)
1998.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOCIAL, POLITICAL,
THE DIFFERENT PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ISSUES

1. The welfare of the landless farmers and farm ◈ Social issue – problem that influences a
workers will receive the highest consideration to considerable number of individuals within a society.
promote social justice and to move the nation
towards it’s development and industrialization. ◈ Political issue – controversies debated within the
political system
2. By means of appropriate incentives, the State shall
encourage the formation and maintenance of ◈ Economic issue – assertion on the insufficiency
economically sized family farms. of needs in economy

3. The state shall be guided by the principles that ◈ Cultural issue – prevailing or trending cultural
land has a social function and landownership has a belief
social responsibility.
LAW
4. The state may lease underdeveloped lands of the
public domain to qualified entities for the LAW – any rule of action or any system of uniformity
development of capital intensive farms and
A. ASPECTS:
traditional and pioneering crops especially under the
act. In a strict legal sense, it is promulgated and enforced
by the state.
SALIENT FEATURE OF CARP
B. CHARACTERISTICS
1. The comprehensive Agrarian reform programs
covers all public and private agricultural lands. 1. It is a rule of conduct.

2. Ownership of agricultural lands is based on a 2. It is obligatory.

family size farm which is not more than three
hectares. 3. It is promulgated by the legitimate authority.

3. Qualified beneficiaries in the following order of 4. It is of common observance of benefit.

priority are the agricultural lessees and share
tenants, regular farm workers, seasonal farm C. PURPOSE
workers, occupants of public lands, etc.
1. For internal order
4. The distribution of all lands covered by CARP shall
be implemented within 10yrs effective immediately 2. To secure justice
upon signing of the law by Pres. Corazon C. Aquino
3. To maintain social control
on June 10, 1998.
D. SOURCES
5. Exemption and exclusions include lands forest
wildlife, forest reserves, reforestation, fish 1. Constitution
sanctuaries and breeding grounds, watersheds and
mangroves, national defense, school sites and 2. Legislative department
campuses, etc.
3. Administrative rules and regulations
SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL
ISSUES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 4. Judicial decisions
5. Customs a. Supreme Council headed by the president and
4 department secretaries of interior, foreign
6. Principles of justice and equity affairs, treasury and war.

7. Decisions of foreign tribunals

8. Opinions of experts 2. 1899: MALOLOS CONSTITUTION

THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION – titled as “The Political Constitution of 1899”,

patterned after the Spanish Constitution and was
◈ CONSTITUTION – set of fundamental principles written in Spanish. This contains 39 articles divided
or established precedents according to which a state into 14 titles, with eight articles of transitory
or other organization is governed, thus, the word provisions and a final additional article.
itself means to be a part of the whole.
The form of government under this Constitution is to
◈ With the particular reference to the Constitution be popular, representative, alternative and
of the Philippines, it may be defined as that written responsible, and shall exercise three distinct powers
instrument by which the fundamental powers of the – legislative, executive and judicial.
government are established, limited and defined and
by which these powers are distributed among the The legislative power was vested in a unicameral
branches of the government. body called the Assembly of Representatives.
Executive power was vested in the president, and
A. NATURE elected by a constituent assembly of the Assembly
of Representatives. There was no vice president.
1. Serves as the supreme or fundamental law
3. 1935: THE COMMONWEALTH CONSTITUTION
2. Establishes basic framework and underlying
principles of government – crafted to meet the approval of the United States
to live up to its promise to grant independence to the
3. Designed to protect the basic rights of the people
Philippines. This Constitution created the
B. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD WRITTEN Commonwealth of the Philippines, an administrative
CONSTITUTION: body that governed the country from 1935 to 1946. It
is a transitional administration to prepare the country
1. Brief – not too detailed but substantial enough toward its full achievement of independence. It
originally provided for a unicameral National
2. Broad - covers the whole state and rights of the Assembly with a president and vice president.
citizens as well as many future contingencies
4. 1973: CONSTITUTIONAL
3. Definite – definitions and interpretations are AUTHORITARIANISM
definite
This was enforced during the Martial Law era. This
EVOLUTION OF THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION was supposed to introduce a parliamentary-style of
government. The president was to be elected as the
1. 1897: CONSTITUTION OF BIAK-NA-BATO symbolic and ceremonial head of the state.
Executive power was relegated to the Prime Minister.
– provisionary Constitution of the Philippine Republic
during the Philippine Revolution. This constitution is 5. 1986: FREEDOM CONSTITUTION
borrowed from Cuba and written by Isabelo Artacho.
The organs of the government under this a transitional Constitution enforced to last for a while
Constitution are: such that the Constitutional Commission drafted a
permanent one, this maintained many provisions of
the old one.

6. 1987: CURRENT CONSTITUTION

TAXATION
This established the Philippines as a “democratic
republican state”. The executive branch is headed by “In this world nothing can be said to be certain,
the president and his cabinet, whom he appoints. except death and taxes.”
The legislative power resides in the Congress divided Benjamin Franklin
into two houses: the Senate and the House of
Representatives. While, the Philippine court system Taxation - power by which the sovereign raises
is vested with the power of the judiciary and is revenue to defray the necessary expenses of the
composed of a Supreme Court and lower courts as government. It is merely a way of apportioning the
created by law. cost of government among those who in some
measure are privileged to enjoy its benefits and must
◈ This Constitution also provided for three
bear its burdens. It includes, in its broadest and most
methods by which it can be amended, all requiring
general sense, every charge or burden imposed by
ratification by a majority vote in a national
the sovereign power upon persons, property, or
referendum:
property rights for the use and support of the
government and to enable it to discharge its
a. Constitutional Assembly – proposes
appropriate functions, and in that broad definition
amendments to the Constitution where the
there is included a proportionate levy upon persons
Congress votes and decides what to amend as a
or property and all the various other methods and
single body.
devices by which revenue is exacted from persons
b. Constitutional Convention – calls for a vote of and property for public purposes.
two-thirds of all members of the Congress.
Nature of Taxation
c. People’s Initiative – amendments in the
Constitution may be proposed by the people Taxation is inherent in nature, being an attribute of
upon a petition of at least 12% of the total sovereignty. As an incident of sovereignty, the
number of registered voters. power to tax has been described as unlimited in its
range, acknowledging in its very nature no limits, so
Federalism in the Philippines was supported by that security against its abuse is to be found only in
President Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 the responsibility of the legislature which imposes
presidential elections. This form of government the tax on the constituency who are to pay it.
is composed of a central governing authority and
constituent political units sharing sovereignty. The power of taxation is an essential and inherent
Under this, regions may custom fit solutions to attribute of sovereignty, belonging as a matter of
problems brought about by their distinct right to every independent government, without
geographic, cultural, social and economic being expressly conferred by the people.
contexts. However, it may create competition
among regions as it can be a challenge in the The power to tax is inherent in the State, such power
achievement of peace in the country. being inherently legislative, based on the principle
that taxes are a grant of the people who are taxed,
Our current governmental system is that of a
and the grant must be made by the immediate
unitary system where administrative powers and
representative of the people, and where the people
resources are concentrated in the national
have laid the power, there it must remain and be
government.
exercised.
The power of taxation is essentially a legislative uniformly, lest the tax collector kills the ‘hen that lays
function. The power to tax includes the authority to: the golden egg.
(1) determine the
(a) nature (kind); e. In order to maintain the general public’s trust and
(b) object (purpose); confidence in the government, this power must be
(c) extent (amount of rate); used justly and not treacherously.
(d) coverage (subjects and objects);
(e) apportionment of the tax (general or Purpose of Taxation
limited application);
(f) situs (place) of the imposition; and a. PRIMARY
(g) method of collection;
• Revenue – the purpose of taxation is to provide
(2) grant tax exemptions or condonations; and funds or property with which the state promotes the
general welfare and protection of its citizens.
(3) specify or provide for the administrative as well
as judicial remedies that either the government or b. SECONDARY
the taxpayer may avail themselves in the proper
implementation of the tax measure. Regulation- it has a regulatory purpose as in the case
of taxes levied on excises or privileges like those
In other words, the legislature wields the power to imposed on tobacco and alcoholic products, or
define what tax shall be imposed, why it should be amusement places, etc.
imposed, how much tax shall be imposed, against
whom (or what) it shall be imposed and where it 2) Promotion of General Welfare
shall be imposed.
3) Reduction of Social Inequality – made possible
Characteristics of Taxation through the progressive system of taxation where
the objective is to prevent undue concentration of
a. As a principal attribute of sovereignty, the wealth in the hands of a few individuals.
exercise of taxing power derives its source from the
very existence of the state whose social contract 4) Encourage Economic Growth – in the realm of tax
with its citizens obliges it to promote public interest exemptions and tax reliefs, the purpose is to grant
and common good. tax incentives or exemptions in order to promote the
country’s economic growth.
b. It is a settled principle that the power of
taxation by the state is plenary. Comprehensive and 5) Protectionism – in some sectors of the economy,
supreme, the principal checks upon its abuse resting as in the case of foreign imports, taxes sometimes
in the responsibility of the members of the legislature provide protection to local industries like protective
to their constituents. tariffs and customs duties.

c. Taxes being the lifeblood of the government that Theories and Basis of Taxation
should be collected without unnecessary hindrance,
every precaution must be taken not to unduly A. Necessity Theory
suppress it.
• Existence of a government is a necessity and
d. The power to tax is sometimes called the power to cannot continue without any means to pay for
destroy. Therefore, it should be exercised with expenses
caution to minimize injury to the proprietary rights of
the taxpayer. It must be exercised fairly, equally and
• For those means, the government has the right to Heritage is defined with different shades and
compel all citizens and property within its limits to meanings.
contribute.
It can be monuments and sites that embody the
B. Benefits-Protection Theory (Symbiotic) cultural, political, economic or social history of the
community, nation or state.
• Reciprocal duties of protection and support
To date the UNESCO World Heritage List includes
between State and inhabitants. Inhabitants pay taxes
890 properties forming part of the cultural and
and in return receive benefits and protection from the
natural heritage which the World Heritage
State.
Committee considers as having outstanding
universal value.
• Every person who is able to pay must contribute his
share in the running of the government. The
These include 689 cultural,176 natural and 25
Government, for his part, is expected to respond in
mixed properties in 148 State Parties.
the form of tangible and intangible benefits intended
to improve the lives of the people and enhance their World Heritage Sites in the Philippines
moral and material values. This symbiotic
relationship is the rationale of taxation and should ● Historic Town of Vigan (1999)
dispel the erroneous notion that is an arbitrary ● Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
method of exaction by those in the seat of power (1995)
● Baroque Churches of the Philippines (1993)–
a. Lifeblood Doctrine (Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay and Miag-ao)
● Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National
• Taxes are the lifeblood of the nation. Park (1999)
● Tubbataha Reef Marine Park (1993)
• Without revenue raised from taxation, the
government will not survive, resulting in detriment to Other meaning of Heritage
society. Without taxes, the government would be
paralyzed for lack of motive power to activate and It is the “the cultivation of cultural patrimony” -
operate it. Christopher Tunnard

“Heritage can also state the property, which parents

• Taxes are the lifeblood of the government and their
handed down to their progeny and can also refer to
prompt and certain availability is an imperious need.
an intellectual or spiritual legacy. -Graeme Davidson

• Taxes are the lifeblood of the nation through which It “is as much about people as it is about relics, and
the agencies of the government continue to operate the challenges to balance preservation with modern
and with which the state effects its functions for the day realities.” -Liu Yuan
benefit of its constituents
Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live
• Taxes are the lifeblood of government, and their with today, and what we pass on to future
prompt and certain availability an imperious need. generations. -World Heritage Commission UNESCO
Time out of mind, therefore, the sovereign has
resorted to more drastic means of collection. The Heritage or “pamana” is anything that one values.
assessment is given the force of a judgment, and if
the amount assessed is not paid when due, It may be a tangible or intangible thing that is worth
administrative officials may seize the debtor's cherishing and nurturing.
property to satisfy the debt.

RPH CULTURAL HERITAGE

It is the manifestation of our nation’s development ● Flora: Ilang-ilang, sampaguita, waling-waling
through history and it embodies our unique cultural and mariposa orchids
identity.
d. Minerals
Intangible Heritage
● Diwalwal Gold
Culture
● San Isidro Marble
● Iron
❖ Traditions (Oral and Written)
● Nickel
❖ Customs
● Silver
❖ Values
❖ Trade and Skills
e. Birds
Tangible Heritage
● The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyl)
Natural Heritage f. Animals
- Carabao, Puerto Galera
I. Environment g. Insects
❖ Natural Landscape - Butterfly Collection, UST Museum of Arts and
❖ Landforms Sciences
❖ Coastal and Inland Water Sources h. Landscape
- Manila Bay Sunset
II. Flora and Fauna
❖ Terrestrial II. Built Heritage
❖ Marine
a. Oldest House Standing (eg. San Juan,
Man-made- Built Heritage
Batangas)
❖ Cultural Landscape
b. Houses
❖ Archeological Sites
c. Oldest Public Structure (eg. Bahay
❖ Historic Urban Sites/Heritage Groups
pamahalaan, cemetery)
❖ Monuments, Buildings or Structures
d. Heritage Group ((eg. In Vigan, Ilocos, Sur)
e. Heritage Urban Sites (eg. In Binondo, Silay
and Intramuros) (Escolta, Manila)
Examples:
f. Monuments (Rizal Monument and Blood
I. Natural Heritage
Compact Event)
a. Oldest Tree Alive
III. Events
a. Festival
● The world’s oldest tree in California
b. Historical Event (eg. Independence Day
● “Baleti” Oldest tree in Canlaon City
Celebration)
● Mangrove: Oldest Tree in San Juan

IV. Performing Arts

b. Trees
a. Theater (eg. Sisa)
b. Dance (Tinikling)
● The Mangroves of Puerto Galera and San
Juan, Batangas
V. Music (eg. Ethnic Music)
c. Plants VI. Cuisine (Eg. Adobo, Halo-halo, letchon etc.)

● Tropical Vegetation VII. Personalities

a. Oldest Man/Woman Alive (eg. Lola Sima)
 b. Influential People (Dead or Alive) (eg. Andres The Benefits of Cultural Conservation
Bonifacio, Gregorio Del Pilar)
The importance of conservation and heritage
VIII. Skills/Technology preservation proves its value in the affirmation of the
a. Skill (eg. Rip-rapping, jusi, sarao) uniqueness of a place.

IX. Literature/Poetry/Myths/Legends (Written) When cultural heritage is appreciated, enhanced and

enriched socio-cultural, religious, political and
X. Language/Orature (eg. Ilocano, Tagalog, Visayan) economic gains are manifested.

XI. Fine/Applied Arts - (Dick Netzer)

a. Painting (Spoliarium) “Structure with special historic, cultural or

b. Sculpture (eg. Monumento Bonifacio, Family architectural significance enhances the quality of
Memorial) life for all.
c. Crafts (Abel, tinalak, parol)
Not only do these buildings and their workmanship
represent the lessons of the past and embody
XII.Healing Arts (Faith healing (albularyo, mang-
previous features of one’s heritage, they serve as
hihilot))
examples of quality for today... enhancing perhaps
XIII.Costume/Accessories developing for the first time- the quality of life for the
people.”
a. Costume
- Traditional costumes, terno and barong) - Justice William Brennan

The Value of Heritage

b. Accessories
- Shell and stone necklaces

XIV. Archives Our cultural and natural heritage are both

irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.
a. Documents
- Historic plaque and post cards - World Heritage Commission UNESCO

b. Memorabilia The value of cultural heritage is seen in the

- Historic Coins strengthening of the sense of national, regional and
local identity, as its value is complimentary to other
XV. Religious Groups (eg. Friday “Panata”) goods and services in which the external benefits- as
part of the education and acculturation of the young.
XVI. Secret Knowledge (eg. Paranormal, Rituals)
- Dick Netzer
Cultural Heritage Under Pressure (Richard A.
Engelhardt)

● Unprecedented growth and change in Asia

● Pressure from competing high- value
activities
● Impact of major infrastructure programmes
● Environmental pressure
● Carrying capacity