Philippine History Unit 4 Quiz

Unit 4: Social, Political, Economic, and Cultural Issues in Philippine History

• This unit examines social, political, economic, and cultural issues throughout Philippine history.

Objectives

• Students should effectively communicate historical analysis using various techniques and genres.
• Students should propose recommendations or solutions to present-day problems based on root causes and future scenarios.
• Students should demonstrate the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.

CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program)

• CARP is the redistribution of public and private agricultural lands to farmers and farmworkers, irrespective of their tenurial arrangements.
• Key objective: Redistribution of agricultural land to landless farmers.
• Legal basis: Republic Act No. 6657 (also known as Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL)), signed by President Corazon C. Aquino on June 10, 1988.
• Vision: Equitable land ownership with empowered agrarian reform beneficiaries who effectively manage their economic and social development.

Pre-Spanish Period

• Filipinos lived in villages (barangays) governed by chiefs (datus).
• Social structure included nobility (datus), freemen (maharlikas), serfs (aliping mamamahay), and slaves (aliping saguiguilid).
• Access to land and resources was generally widespread.
• Money was not used; rice was the primary form of currency.

Spanish Period

• Introduction of encomienda system (Royal Land Grants).
• Encomenderos were granted lands and expected to defend them, maintain order, and support missionaries.
• In return, encomenderos were granted the right to collect tribute.
• The system degenerated into abuse of power by encomenderos, with tribute evolving into land rents for a powerful few.

First Philippine Republic

• General Emilio Aguinaldo's intention to confiscate large estates, particularly Friar lands, was not fully realized due to the short life of the republic.

American Period

• The Philippine Bill of 1902 established limitations on the size of land that could be owned privately.
• The Torrens System (Act No. 496) was introduced for land title registration, but not fully successful.
• Public Land Act of 1903 established the homestead system.
• The Tenancy Act of 1933 regulated relationships between landowners and tenants.

Commonwealth Period

• President Manuel Quezon introduced a "Social Justice" program to address social unrest, particularly in Central Luzon.
• The 1935 Constitution emphasized the promotion of social justice and economic security.
• Amendments to tenancy legislation included control of landlord-tenant relations and establishment of the National Rice and Corn Corporation.
• Creation of the Rural Program Administration, and the National Settlement Administration.

Japanese Period

• The Second World War (1939-1941) impacted land ownership.
• Hukbalahap controlled whole areas of Central Luzon, particularly in response to the Japanese occupation.
• Landlords who supported the Japanese lost lands while those who supported the Huks earned fixed rentals.
• After the end of the war, gains acquired by the peasants were eroded.

Philippine Republic and Post-War

• Independent Philippines struggled with land tenure issues.
• The Congress of the Philippines revised the tenancy law.
• President Elpidio Quirino introduced Executive Order No. 355, replacing the National Land Administration with the Land Development Corporation (LASEDECO).
• President Ramon Magsaysay abolished LASEDECO and established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration.
• Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954) governed land ownership and tenant farmer relations.

Additional Laws & Policies

• Republic Act No. 821 (1956): Provided credit to small farmers and share tenants with low-interest loans.
• Republic Act No. 1400 (1955): Established the Land Tenure Administration for acquisition and distribution of large tenanted agricultural lands.
• President Carlos P. Garcia continued previous programs, but no new legislation was passed.
• President Diosdado Macapagal introduced the Agricultural Land Reform Code in 1963.
• President Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed the New Society and a land reform area; introduced other relevant laws.
• Subsequent Presidents (Aquino, Ramos, Arroyo, Duterte, and Aquino III) have enacted many further laws, policies and programs addressing varying aspects of agrarian issues.
• These laws and policies have had varying effects and have been met with both success and setbacks.

Beneficiaries of CARP

• Landless farmers, agricultural lessees, tenants, seasonal and other farmworkers.
• The DAR identifies and validates potential beneficiaries' qualifications.

Government Agencies Involved

• The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are the lead agencies in the CARP.
• Identification and management of "CARPable" land are critical.

Notice of Coverage (NOC)

• A letter informing landowners about lands covered under the CARP, indicating obligations and rights related to land acquisition and distribution.

Challenges in Acquiring and Distributing Private Lands

• Issues related to land title descriptions, ownership, and court processes.
• Potential disputes on land ownership and beneficiary qualifications.
• Other issues related to the administration of land tenure administration.

Additional Information

• Specific policies and programs implemented by each president during their terms relating to the CARP program.