Agrarian Reform

The implementation of a genuine agrarian

reform program in the Philippines would
improve the lives of marginalized Filipino
farmers and farmworkers.
The Philippines, a country rich in agriculture
resources, will also benefit tremendously from
the program.
 Essential Concepts
Reform is a change, a process, or an act to
achieve improvements on any current state or
quality.
Land Reform is a measure undertaken to
improve the relationship between the tillers and
the land owner, with regard to the former’s
rights and privileges in the land they are
nurturing.
Agrarian Reform pursues a broader
improvement, not only on land ownership, but
also in the agrarian system and processes as a
whole.
Either government-initiated or government
backed.
 Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program
It was initialized during the Aquino
Administration through the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Law or CARL (R.A. No.
6657)
Signed by President Cory Aquino on June
10, 1988 and took effect on June 15, 1988.
The program aims to rationalize the distribution
and use of all lands suitable for agriculture and to
bring social equity and economic prosperity.
It seeks to improve the living conditions of the
farmers by making them more independent, self-
reliant, and to be the source of genuine strength
of a Philippine democratic society.
This is the center piece program of Aquino
government.
Agrarian reform is a package of support
services, price regulations, and
government assistance on matters
related to legal aid, consultation,
counseling, and building of infrastructures
that would benefit the farmers, among
others.
 Aspects of Agrarian Reform
Economic
The agricultural development is prior to
industrial development and progress.
Reforms are needed to promote and intensify
agricultural productivity which would contribute
significantly to overall economic growth and
development.
 Aspects of Agrarian Reform
Socio-cultural
Agrarian reform leads to self-reliance, self-
esteem, dignity, and improved quality of life for
the beneficiaries.

Religious
Agrarian reform is solidly grounded in both the
Old and New testaments, and Social Teachings.
 Aspects of Agrarian Reform
Moral
Sound reason sees the need for a just and
equitable distribution of agricultural lands to
landless farmers, in line with the essence of
social justice.
Rooted in social justice which is a combination
of general justice and distributive justice.
 Aspects of Agrarian Reform
Legal
Agrarian reform is mandated by the 1987 Constitution.
• Art. II, Sec. 10 – to promote social justice in all phases of national development.
• Art. II, Sec. 21 – to promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform;
• Art. XII, Sec. 1 – to promote industrialization and full employment based on sound
agricultural development and agrarian reform.
• Art. XIII, Sec. 1 – to regulate the acquisition, ownership, use, and disposition of property
and its increments.
• Art. XIII, Sec. 2 – to afford full protection to labor and promote equal work
opportunities
• Art XIII, Sec. 4-10 – to undertake an agrarian reform program as well as housings
programs for homeless citizens.
 Aspects of Agrarian Reform
Political
Agrarian reform measures the extent of
willingness (known as political will) of the
national leadership to implement the law
regardless of those affected.
 Implications of Agrarian Reform
1.Socio-economic
a.Incentive to produce more
b.More employment
c.Higher farm yields
d.Larger income
e.Expanded domestic market
f. Greater industrial production
g.National development and dynamic democracy
h.Heightened quality of life
 Implications of Agrarian Reform
1.Socio-political
a.Enhanced people’s participation
b.People empowerment
c.Recognition of human dignity
d.More principled and disciplined people
e.More political awareness and involvement
f. Responsive bureaucracy
g.Broad-based democracy
h.National development and dynamic democracy
i. Heightened quality of life.
 Implications of Agrarian Reform
1.Socio-cultural
a.Recognition of human dignity
b.Heightened consciousness and social awareness
c.Enhanced people’s participation
d.More principled and disciplined people
e.Higher education
f. Improved health condition
g.Increased awareness of environmental conservation
h.National development and dynamic democracy
i. Heightened quality of life
JOHN R. CASTRICIONES