Republic of the Philippines
QUEZON CITY POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY Brgy. San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City
COMPARATIVE RESEARCH STUDY (On the Philippine Agrarian Reform Program )
Prepared by: John Albert De Jesus Papa Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (3rd Year, Section E)
Issued to: Mr. Rogelio B. Aguilar (Professor, Principles of Economics with Taxation and Agrarian Reform) on this 30th day of September, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS: TOPICS Introduction
CHANGES IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY •
Pre-Spanish Period
•
Spanish Period
•
First Philippine Republic
•
The American Period
•
The Commonwealth Period
•
The Japanese Occupation
•
The New Philippine Republic
I.
CARP: changes on the Philippine Agrarian Reform Program (1988 – 2001)
II.
Phil. Government at present: preparing the program’s other needs
AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM OF OTHER COUNTRIES (THAILAND) •
•
Knowing about the country Economy, Rural and Agrarian = 3 Development “P” (Plans, Programs, Projects)
I.
Thai National Development and Social Plans
II.
Agricultural Land Reform Program (ALRP)
III.
Other more ALRP-related Projects
COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM (CARP) •
Back to its past
•
Coverage of CARP
•
About the Implementation (Agencies)
•
Present status of the program: the results
COMPARISON
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
COMPARATIVE RESEARCH STUDY ON THE PHILIPPINE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM John Albert DJ. Papa, BSICT-3E
Introduction
The Republic of the Philippines is one of the countries in the world that has some source in agricultural products. And because of this, the Philippine Agrarian Reform Program was born. It is the one of the widest programs in terms of its coverage. This program affects the almost 30,000,000 hectare land area of the country. As the time passes by and the government changes, the program also changes and added with some constitutional laws & orders that will support & hardened it. This changes lead to Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP),a program of the government that aims to transfer effective management of a land ownership from the landowners to their tenants such as famers or workers to have their an economic and social development for a quality of life of each. Now, it covers 26.8% of the Philippines total land area (or more than 8,000,000 hectares). Also, the CARP provides support servi service ces s to the progr program am benef benefic iciar iaries ies to ensur ensure e that that they they are able able to make make lands lands awarded to them fully productive. In this comparative research study, we will see how the Philippine Agrarian Reform Program changes and what does the earlier heads of state protect and support the program. Also, we will see what the other countries agrarian reform program similar and different to ours. Lastly, we will find out how our present government sustains the needs of the program for the benefit of the people, especially for the people and sectors in the field related to it.
CHANGES IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Now, how can we understand understand the present situation situation and development development of the program on our country? One word: HISTORY.
On the “Land Reform on the Philippine History” information came from the Department of Agrarian Reform website, we will see that on the following information from the different “periods” of the Philippine history in regarding on the Agrarian will help and also guides us to know and understand the background of the present program on our economy and governance and also compare them to its present situation:
Pre-Spanish Period
In Pre-Spanish Period (before the Spaniards came to the Philippines), the Filipinos lived in baranggays headed by a Datu (most of them are chosen for their nobility). In that period, the person has a chance to get some “fruits” of the soil. And rice is commonly known on that period as a medium of exchange.
Spanish Period
When the Spanish Period began, the Encomienda (Royal Land Grants) was introduced. The Encomienda system is a system wherein the Encomiendero must defend from external attacks, protect & and maintain peace & security within his encomienda. Also, the encomiendero must collect some tribute to the indios (natives) and for supporting the missionaries. missionaries. But the result of this system is abusing of power. And the tributes that collected to the indios became land rents for the few powerful landowners and the indios became shared tenants. Unequal land distribution and landlessness are upraised on this period.
First Philippine Republic
When the Philippines got the independence from the hands of Spanish colonizers and resulted to a Republic country, the first president, General Emilio Aguinaldo planned to bring back the Spanish estates (or the “Friar Lands”) and other large lands to the Philippines. But unfortunately, the Philippine Republic that Aguinaldo headed by was short-lived. In result, the plans didn’t achieved, especially regarding on the Agrarian reform.
American Period
There are some bills and acts enacted on this period that the Filipino farmworkers (or tenants) and landowners can used their rights and privileges. The following bills and acts that enacted on that period was started on the Philippine Bill of 1902 which is setti setting ng the ceilin ceilings gs on the the hectar hectarag age e of priva private te indivi individu duals als and and corpor corporati ations ons may may acquire: 16 have for private individuals and 1,024 have for corporations. Next is the Land Registration Act of 1902 (Act No. 496), providing a comprehensive registration of land titles under the Torrens system. Also, the Public Land Act of 1903, introducing the homestead system in the Philippines. And the Tenancy Act of 1933 (Act No. 4054 and 4113), a regulated relationships between landowners and tenants of rice (50-50 sharing) and sugar cane lands. However, the Torrens system (stated on the Land Registration Act of 1902) that existed during American Period didn’t resolve the problem completely.
The Commonwealth Period
Under the Quezon’s Administration, he also imposed some acts for the economic status of the country that time. This acts aims to help the farmworkers and landowners, and also build a strong relationship relationship between the tenants and consumers. It is started on the Commonwealth Act No. 178 (An Amendment to Rice Tenancy Act No. 4045) dated on Nov. 13, 1936 is a provision for certain controls in the landlord-tenant relationships. The Commonwealth Act. No. 461 of 1937 is a specified reasons for the dismissal of tenants and only with the approval of the Tenancy Division of the Department of Justice. And the Commonwealth Act No. 441 enacted on June 3, 1939, which created the National Settlement Administration with a capital stock of P20, 000,000. Also, the Act No. 4054 (Rice Share Tenancy Act) is the first law on crop-sharing which legalized the 50-50 share between landlord and tenant. He also creates a corporation called “National Rice and Corn Corporation” (NARIC) on the year 1936. The purpose is to establish the price of rice and corn for helping the tenants and also the consumer. These acts were initiated until when the World War II in the Pacific began.
The Japanese Occupation
The World War II was started on 1941 in the Pacific, including in the Philippines. One of the members of the Axis Powers is the 3 rd colonizer colonizer and occupied our country, and this is the Japanese colonial power. Since the Japanese occupation in our country was begun, some of Filipinos in some province provinces s began began to create create a movemen movementt called called “HUKBA “HUKBALAH LAHAP” AP” (HUKbo (HUKbong ng BAyan BAyan LAban sa mga HAPon). Being an anti-Japanese group, Hukbalahap controlled whole areas of Central Luzon; landlords who supported the Japanese lost their lands to peasants while those who supported the Huks earned fixed rentals in favor of the tenants. Unfortunately, the end of war also signaled the end of gains acquired by the peasants. Upon the arrival of the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942, peasants and workers organizations grew strength. Many peasants took up arms.
The New Philippine Republic
After the war, 1946 is the year when the new Philippine Independence was established, but the problems of land tenure and reform program still remained. And it was worst in certain areas. Thus the Congress of the Philippines revised the tenancy law.
Since President Manuel Roxas is the first president president of the New Republic, he started to help the agrarian reform sector by enacting a law. These are the Republic Act No. 34, establishing a 70-30 sharing arrangements and regulati regulating ng share-t share-tenan enancy cy contrac contracts, ts, provided provided that whoever whoever will be shoulder shouldered ed the expenses on what the plantation or agricultural land needs and the Republic Act No. 55, a provision for a more effective safeguard against arbitrary ejectment of tenants.
President President Elpidio Elpidio Quirino enacted the law of Executive Order No. 355 issued on October 23, 1950, replacing the National Land Settlement Administration with Land Sett Settle leme ment nt Devel evelop opm ment ent Corp Corpor orat atio ion n (LAS (LASE EDECO DECO)) whic which h take takes s over over the the
responsibilities of the Agricultural Machinery Equipment Corporation and the Rice and Corn Production Administration.
When President Ramon Magsaysay turns as a Philippine President, his administration made the laws, for the continuous help in the sector. He implemented the following laws for the program. The The NARR NARRA A Law, Law, whic which h is the the Repu Republ blic ic Act Act No. No. 1160 1160 of 1954 1954 abol abolis ishe hed d the the LASE LASEDE DECO CO and and estab stabli lish shed ed the the Nati Nation onal al Rese Resett ttle lem ment ent and and Reha Rehab bilit ilitat atio ion n Administration Administration (NARRA) to increase increase free distribution of agricultural lands to the tenants and farmworkers and resettle dissidents and landless farmers. It was particularly aimed at rebel returnees providing home lots and farmlands in Palawan and Mindanao. Another is the Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954) states that governed the relationship between landowners and tenant farmers by organizing sharetenancy and leasehold system. The law provided the security of tenure of tenants. It also created the Court of Agrarian Relations. Another, the Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955) created the Land Tenure Administration (LTA) which was responsible for the acquisition and distribution of large tenanted rice and corn lands over 200 hectares for individuals and 600 hectares for corporations. Republi Republic c Act No. 821 is the creation creation of Agricul Agricultura turall Credit Credit Cooper Cooperativ ative e Financ Financing ing Administration, provided small farmers and share tenants loans with low interest rates of six to eight percent.
Now, during President Carlos Garcia term, he just continued the program of President Ramon Magsaysay Magsaysay on the Land Reform. In result, no new legislation passed passed during his time for the Agrarian sector.
When the term of President Diosdado Macapagal came, he enacted the following laws like Republic Act No. 3844 of August 8, 1963 known as Agricultural Land Reform Code, abolishing the share tenancy, institutionalized leasehold, set retention limit at 75 hectares, hectares, invested rights of preemption preemption and redemption redemption for tenant farmers, provided for an administrative machinery for implementation, institutionalized a judicial system of agrarian agrarian cases, cases, incorpo incorporate rated d extensio extension, n, marketi marketing ng and supervi supervised sed credit credit system system of
services of farmer beneficiaries. The RA was hailed as one that would emancipate Filipino farmers from the bondage of tenancy.
On September 21, 1972, the Proclamation No. 1081, President Ferdinand Marcos ushered the Period of the New Society (Bagong Lipunan). And five days after the proclamation of Martial Law, the entire country was proclaimed a land reform area and simultaneously the Agrarian Reform Program was decreed. President Marcos created the Republic Act No. 6389, the Code of Agrarian Reform and RA No. 6390 of 1971, resulting to the creation of the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Agrarian Reform Special Account Fund. It strengthens the position of farmers and expanded the scope of agrarian reform. This is the one of the best contribute in the program. Also, the Presidential Decree No. 2 of September 26, 1972 was created, declaring the coun countr try y unde underr land land refo reform rm prog progra ram. m. It enjo enjoin ined ed all all agen agenci cies es and and offi office ces s of the the government to extend full cooperation and assistance to the DAR. It also activated the Agrarian Reform Coordinating Council. And the Presidential Decree No. 27 of October 21, 1972, restricting land reform scope to tenanted rice and corn lands and set the retention limit at 7 hectares.
CARP: changes on the Philippine Agrarian Reform Program (1988 – 2001)
The The year year was was 1986, 1986, Coraz Corazon on Cojua Cojuangc ngco o Aquin Aquino’ o’s s Gove Governm rnment ent.. Ther There e are are many many changes was did during of this administration administration from the previous presidents. Ratification Ratification of the Philippine Constitution by the Filipino people is one of those changes. Back on the 1935 Constitution created under Manuel L. Quezon’s administration, it’s stated that “The promotion of social justice to ensure the well-being and economic security of all people should be the concern of the State.” However, from that year up to the the Marcos Marcos’’ Admini Administ strat ration ion,, there there are are still still some some misse missed d and and needed needed to chang changes es regarding on the Agrarian Reform. So on the year 1987, Filipino people ratified the constitution under Article II, Section 21 that “The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform.” Also, during her administration, CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) is one of the changes on the Philippine Agrarian Reform sector sector that until now existed. It is started on the preparation of Executive Order No. 229 of July 22, 1987, and stated a
“provided mechanism for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)”. Corazon Aquino wants that the CARP will be the “center-program” of the Philippine Government. To support the said program, the Proclamation No. 131 of July 22, 1987 was done. Instituted that the CARP is the major program of the government. It’s provided for a spec special ial fund fund known known as the the Agrar Agrarian ian Refor Reform m Fund Fund (ARF (ARF), ), with with an initi initial al amou amount nt of Php50,000,000,000 to cover the estimated cost of the program from 1987-1992. Continuously, Continuously, on Aquino’s administration, administration, the passed bills and became laws (or orders) are more on Agrarian Reform, because of the CARP. Those orders aim to help and give the needs of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program for the Filipino people, especial especially ly to the landowne landowners, rs, tenants tenants and farmworkers farmworkers.. And when June June 10, 1988, 1988, Republic Act No. 6657 was done. This is also known as “Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law”. This act instituted a comprehensive agrarian reform program to promote social justice and industrialization providing the mechanism for its implementation and for other purposes. This law, which became effective on June 15, 1988 is still the one being implemented implemented at present. The other orders implemented implemented that support the program are: •
•
•
Executiv Executive e Order Order No. 129-A, July 26, 1987 – streamli streamlined ned and expande expanded d the power and operations of the DAR.
Executive Order No. 405, June 14, 1990 – Vested in the Land Bank of the Philippines the responsibility to determine land valuation and compensation for all lands covered by CARP.
Execu Executiv tive e Order Order No. No. 407, 407, June June 14, 14, 1990 1990 – Accel Accelera erated ted the the acqui acquisit sition ion and and distribution of agricultural lands, pasture lands, fishponds, agro-forestry lands and other lands of the public domain suitable for agriculture.
Regarding Regarding in this E.O.407, directed all government government instrumentalities, instrumentalities, including financial institutions and corporations, to turn over to Department of Agrarian Reform all lands suitable for agriculture for the coverage of the program.
When the election for a new Philippine President came, Corazon Aquino didn’t run for presidency, presidency, but she supports Fidel Valdez Ramos. By counting the votes of the Filipino people, Ramos won the presidency. During his term, Ramos adds some implementations and laws to continue on what Aquino did for the Philippine Agrarian Reform. He strengthened the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program that written on the Republic Act No. 7905 of the year 1995. On the year 1997, in giving conditions on what type of lands may be converted is also Ramo Ramos s and and his admini administr strati ation on conce concern rned. ed. That’ That’s s the the reaso reason n of imple impleme menti nting ng the Executive Order No.363 and the Republic Act No. 8435. And in the same year, the government gave 50,000,000,000 pesos to the program and extending it for another 10 years years,, under under the Repu Republi blic c Act Act No.85 No.8532 32 of 1998 1998 which which is also also know known n as “Agr “Agrari arian an Reform Fund Bill”. Until when 1998 presidential election, Joseph Ejercito Estrada won and took the oath as the 12th president of the Republic of the Philippines. Continued with Estrada, known as “Erap para sa Mahirap” he started to create the Farmers Trust Fund (Executive Order 151) 151) on Septe Septemb mber, er, 1999. 1999. It tells tells that that the volun voluntar tary y cons consoli olidat datio ion n of smal smalll farm farm operations is allowed into medium and large scale enterprise and access a long-term capital. Executive Order No.26 is also initiated during the Estrada’s Administration. This order tells that it provided the lands covered with the Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLAO) shall now accepted as collateral to secure loans of the registered owners, with the the conse consent nt of the the farme farmers rs coope cooperat rative ive as the the memb members ers,, gover governm nmen entt finan financia ciall institutions, as well as, the private financial institutions. Provided that the loan must used for the agricultural land productivity and other related activities. And last, the MAGKASAKA (MAGKAbalikat (MAGKAbalikat SA Kaunlarang Agraryo). Agraryo). The aim of this is to bring bring investme investments nts into into the country countryside side.. Investor Investors s will be encoura encouraged ged to become become partners of the farmers in establishing rural business enterprises, particularly in agrarian reform communities communities (ARCs). They will contribute capital, technology technology and management management support, while the farmers will contribute the use of their land but not the land itself. The land cannot be used to settle obligations obligations of the enterprise. This ensures that ownership ownership of the land remains in the hand of the farmers. But as we all knew, Joseph Estrada was ouster by the masses on 2001, and Gloria MacapagalMacapagal- Arroyo, his vice-president, was took her oath to be the 13 th president of the country that year.
Phil. Government at present: preparing for giving the program’s other needs
“To make the countryside economically viable for the Filipino family by building partnership and promoting social equity and new economic opportunities towards lasting peace and sustainable rural development.”
The The vision vision of agra agraria rian n reform reform progr program am during during Arroyo Arroyo’s ’s admi adminis nistra tratio tion n is more more on economic opportunities and rural development for the Filipino people. Since we are now in new generation: modern technology and modern society, how this “technological” changes affect the Philippine Agrarian Reform Program? The government developed a “projects” that under on this Agrarian Reform program. Thes These e are are the the “Lan “Land d Tenu Tenure re Impr Improv ovem emen ent” t”,, “Pro “Provi visi sion on of Supp Suppor ortt Serv Servic ices es”, ”, “Infrastructure Projects”, “KALAHI ARZone” and the “Agrarian Justice”. Now, Now, since since we alread already y knew knew the diffe differen rences ces and chang changes es of the the agrar agraria ian n reform reform program to our country, from the colonial periods, during of the “different” presidential terms and up to the present times, is the government’s giving the Philippine Agrarian Reform Reform Program Program needs, needs, especial especially ly in the present present Compreh Comprehens ensive ive Agrarian Agrarian Reform Reform Program, will result as the one of the “best” agrarian reform programs among the other countries? Or is it one of the “worst”?
AGRARIAN REFORM OF THE OTHER COUNTRIES (THAILAND)
Knowing about the country
The country of Thailand (or Kingdom of Thailand) is one of the member countries of Southeast Asian region. The total area is 513, 115 square kilometers. The capital of Thailand is Bangkok. If the Philippines was divided into 3 regions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Thailand was also divided into 4 regions: the North, Northeast, Central and South consists of 76 provinces. The official currency used here is called “Baht.”
The population of the country is approximately 63 million, consists of Thais, Chinese, and Malays and the rest are the Mons, Khmers and various hill tribes. The country’s official written and spoken language is Thai.
Economy, Rural and Agrarian = 3 Development “P” (Plans, Programs, Projects)
Regarding on the income generation, the regions of Thailand has a different income level, depending and relating in their location, promotion of economic activities and development on their economic zones such as natural resource. For instance, Bangkok and other vicinities got the high income level rank generation because most of economic activities of the country is concentrated on this area. While the lowest income level rank generation is in the North and Northeastern regions. The cause is the limitation of natural resources, topography and other factors that affects for the investment. In result, the North and Northeastern regions are the rural areas in Thailand. Central and Western regions can be classified in medium rank income level because there are both in urban and rural areas, some did the semi-economic activities in the city cause of the development while the others did the agricultural practices. So how the Kingdom of Thailand helped its people for the progress of them, thus helping also the agrarian sector for the economic and rural development? Are there any plans or programs that already started?
Thai National Economic and Social Development Plans
On the National Report of Agrarian Reform and Rural Development of Thailand, since 1961, Thailand already started the NESDP or what they called “National Economic and Social Development Plans”. Also, this plan aimed to: •
Maintain the financial stability
•
Better quality of life and environment
•
Accelerate and achieve the sustainable development
The NESDP period will takes five years before create and launch another NESDP.
Back to its history and for us to get the summarization of this plan, the First Plan was started like what I’ve said earlier on the year 1961 and ends on 1966. The basis of the plan was on the development only of the economic growth. And because of that, the objective of this is only accelerating the economic growth. The plan focuses on the investment of infrastructure and other development projects utilizing what they called “Project “Project Analys Analysis” is” techniqu technique e and emphasi emphasizing zing the “Physica “Physicall Capital Capital Assets” Assets” for the accumulation. When in the year of 1967, the Second Plan was started up to 1971. Like what the first plan’s objective, it’s just continuing the objective that to accelerate the economic growth. And like what my reference said, “Prosperity decentralization to regions, particularly northeas northeastern tern region region was commenced commenced.” .” Also, Also, this second plan is concerned concerned on the natio national nal manpo manpowe werr and and it has has been been take taken n serio seriousl usly. y. The The “Sect “Sectora orall Analy Analysis sis”” was was recommended as a guide for the direct initiation of development. After 5 years, on the year 1972, and the Third Plan was launched. It focuses on the economic growth and financial stability. For the first time, the population growth rate was included. It discussed how to reduce population rate. This plan was ended on the year 1976. Again, another 5 years, the Fourth Plan was started, covers the period from 1977 to 1981. 1981. Since Since that that time time has has a polit politica icall uncer uncertai tainty nty,, the plan plan focus focuses es on the the gener general al problem problem analysi analysis, s, solution solution and framewo framework rk designat designation. ion. However However,, suggest suggestions ions on a development plan with multi-objectives, regarding on the problem analysis, was crucial on the part of the status of Thailand. Next, the Fifth Plan covered 1982 to 1986. It emphasized on consistent economical growth. Project planning practice was shifted to "Programming", particularly for those plans regarding rural development and the East Coast development. Even though “Top –down approach” was in practice, planning authority was decentralized to regional and areas. The The Sixth Sixth Plan, Plan, which which impl implem ement ented ed in 1987 1987 to 1991 1991.. This This Plan Plan aimed aimed to achie achieve ve economical economical and social objectives simultaneously. simultaneously. Programming Programming practice was applied to at least 10 operational plans. Bottom-up approach was increasingly valued as well as administ administrati rative ve system system improve improvement ment and reviewin reviewing g of governm government ent role on nationa nationall administration. The Seventh Plan, period was in 1992 to 1996. Sustainable development was highly recognized in this plan. Three development objectives were determined focusing on the creat creation ion of equal equality ity of econo economic mic growt growth, h, incom income e distri distribut bution ion,, huma human n reso resourc urces es development, better quality of life and environment.
The The Eight Eighth h Plan Plan cover covered ed 1997 1997 to 2001 2001.. Its conce concept pt was shift shifted ed its devel develop opme ment nt parad paradigm igm from from econo economy my-c -cent enter ered ed to people people-c -cent entere ered d deve develop lopme ment. nt. Botto Bottomm-up up approach practice was applied to this Plan to encourage people participation in planning for national development. The Plan focused on equilibrium social, natural resources and environmental development. The The Nint Ninth h Plan Plan,, whic which h is on the the year year 2002 2002 up to 2006 2006 adop adoptt the the phil philos osop ophy hy of sufficiency economy bestowed by the King to his subjects as the guiding principle of national development development and management. management. The philosophy philosophy of sufficiency sufficiency economy, which based on adherence to the middle path, is advocated to overcome the current economic crisi crisis s that that was was broug brought ht about about by unex unexpec pected ted chan changed ged under under condit condition ions s of rapid rapid globalization, and achieve sustainable development. Now, Now, as we alre alread ady y read read and and unde unders rsta tand nd the the Nati Nation onal al Econ Econom omic ic and and Soci Social al Development Plan, it focuses on the general economic problem of Thailand. But how this country helped their Agrarian Reform sector specifically, like what the Republic of the Philippines did, which is the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program? The Agricultural Land Reform Office or ALRO is concerned about the agricultural status of their country so they informed the people that Thailand is an agricultural country and the greater part of the population is engaged in agriculture, hence land is an essential facto factorr in the the deve develop lopme ment nt of natio nationa nall sociosocio-ec econ onom omic ic cond conditi ition ons. s. Unfo Unfortu rtunat nately ely,, Thailand tenure systems have caused inequitable distribution of income. As the result, a greater number of farmers are poor and get into debt. They mostly become tenants and landl landless ess farme farmers. rs. Pover Poverty ty is there therefor fore e wides widespre pread ad in rural rural areas areas.. In addit addition ion,, the the population continues to increase at a rapid rate with reflection to scarce land resources. As 2005, the government program namely the Nationwide Poverty Registration Program was formulated to identify the problems urgently. As one of the most serious problems is landless and inadequate of agricultural land, the number of registered people was about 2 million in the case of landless while the number for inadequate agricultural land was more than 1.5 million. For the solution on those problems, the Agricultural Land Reform Act was promulgated and the Agricultural Land Reform Program has been conducted since 1975.
Agricultural Land Reform Program (ALRP)
The 1975 Agricultural Land Reform Act is taken to mean. It tells that “redistribution of land for farming and residential uses by allocating state land or, land purchased or expropriated from landowners who do not themselves cultivate or who own land in excess of what is stipulated by the Agricultural Land Reform Act of 1975 to farmers who are landless or do not have sufficient land for cultivation, and to farmers’ institutions by means of lease and sale. In doing as, the state will provide supporting services services such as resource development, marketing facilities as well as public utilities”. Regarding on the Land Reform context of Thailand, reform of the land tenure structure in Thailand has the following objectives: •
To convert the tenants and the landless to owner-operators.
•
To provide landownership to squatters in public lands, and
•
To ensure fair share between tenants and lesser.
Land is acquired acquired from the private land domain, voluntarily through direct purchase and, involunt involuntaril arily y through through expropr expropriatio iation, n, from large large and absente absentee e landown landowners. ers. It is then leased or sold on amortization basis to tenants, marginal and landless farmers. It the public land domain, land is earmarked for distribution to the poor. The option is either to lease or to buy from the government at a discount rate. Eventually, the land reform beneficiaries beneficiaries are encouraged to buy the land, so that they can become full landowners. In cases where land reform does not and cannot apply, efforts will be made to ensure that both tenants and landowners get a fair share from leasing arrangements. arrangements. This is in recognition with the fact that leasing exists and cannot be eliminated by land reform or even by any legal means. Reform of the production structure has the principal objectives as follows: •
To attain optimal farm size,
•
To prevent land fragmentation, and
•
To increase agricultural productivities.
Farm size in terms of the amount of landholding should be small but economically efficient. Land fragmentation should be prevented for fear that farm size may fall below the optimal level. Land is to be devoted to produce more intensively. Crop diversification is also recommended, instead of mono-cropping. Like what our program’s one of the objective for helping the farm-related sectors and people people,, reform reform of the supp support orting ing servic services es struct structure ure of this this Agra Agraria rian n Land Land Reform Reform
Program aims to achieve the following objectives like to ensure that farmers receive supporting services as needed, and to upgrade the standards of living among farmers. It should be reiterated here that supporting services, if they are to be of any help, must be available and accessible to those in need. The need arises from the production process and also from within the farm households (such as health, education and domestic water consumption).
The objectives of land reform
With the above definition, the objectives of land reform formed and revised to fit with the ALRO’s mission. The following of objectives are: •
To distribute land to farmers according to the Agricultural Land Reform Act;
•
To enable farmers to access capital resources;
•
To strengthen and self-development to farmers in Land Reform area; and
•
To increase the perennial plantation, food resources and income generation.
Land Reform implementation
The The imple impleme menta ntatio tion n of land land reform reform in Thai Thailan land d consi consist sts s of three three main main phas phases: es: preparation, land distribution and development activities. In the the prep prepar arat atio ion n phas phase, e, with with the the rega regard rds s to the the prep prepar arat atio ion n for for land land refo reform rm implementation, primary and secondary data are collected and analyses in order to select potential land reform area. It should be emphasized here that land reform law takes effete only in the Land Reform Areas (LRA’s). In private lands, the basic criteria used are the amount of rented land, the number of tenants and the level of farm productivities. Areas with high tenancy rates and low farm productivities will receive greater attention than others. In public lands, in which data are relatively scarce, prefeasi feasibi bilit lity y studi studies es are are also also carrie carried d out, out, cove coverin ring g a wide wide range range of subje subjects cts such such as topography, topography, geography, geography, location of existing infrastructures, infrastructures, climate, rainfall, farmers’ institutions, as well as social conditions in the area. The basic criteria for selecting land reform areas in public lands are the size of land held by farmers without land use
permits or ad kind of land documents, and land classification itself. If land is classified as that that for conser conserva vatio tion n purpos purposes, es, it must must not be used used for for farmi farming ng purpo purposes ses.. The The prefeasibility studies offer only rough guidance, because there is a time constraint on the land reform decision-making decision-making process. process. But they are quite adequate adequate for the purposes of plannin planning g and identifi identificati cation on of develop developmen mentt activit activities. ies. In this phase, phase, land reform implementation in public lands also requires cadastral surveys. After the selection of suitable areas is submitted to, and approved by the National land Reform Committee (NLRC), the ALRO will proceed to declare them as LRA’s by royal decree. The land distribution phase involves partitioning of land into lots and allocating them among farmers. The public lands belong, by law, to the government; hence there is in principl principle e no need need to purchase purchase or expropr expropriate iate.. In practic practice, e, compens compensatio ation n is paid to squatter families for acquisition of excess land, which is then sold to poor farmers. On the other hand, the private lands have to be purchased or expropriated for subsequent redistribution. Compensation is paid at the rate established by the NLRC. The mode of payment is both in cash and bonds. After lad acquisition, farmers are selected and allocated with land plots. In private lands, they are required to pay annual installments to the government for the purchase of land. The same principle applies to the case of public lands. Land reform beneficiaries are required to pay rent and can even buy land from ALRO. The purchase price depends on the length of time the beneficiaries have cultivated the land. However, it has not been determined in actual money terms, and the farmers because the latter for all purposes regards land as already their own. The development phase of land reform implementation can take place before or after land land redis redistri tribu butio tion, n, depend depending ing on the type type of activ activiti ities es concer concerned ned.. For For exam example ple,, agricultural extension may be carried out, regardless of the final rearrangements of land plots plots.. But But any any major major on-fa on-farm rm infras infrastru tructu cture re which which could could bene benefit fit direct directly ly absen absentee tee landlords would likely increase their reluctance to sell the land for the purposes of land reform. Activities as such will be conducted after land acquisition. Under this phase, development activities include agricultural extension, agricultural credit, water resources development development land consolidation, consolidation, development, development, and public utilities. While it is imperative that agricultural development must accompany land redistribution, these activities are by no mean means s an end end in them themse selve lves. s. They They must must conti continue nue in the the broad broader er natio national nal economic development context. Based on the current policy consideration, ALRO was assigned to take action on solution of the poverty alleviation and social problems by utilizin utilizing g appropri appropriatel ately y agricult agricultura urall land managem management. ent. The key operati operations ons for poverty poverty alleviation divided into seven issues that have been responding by multi governance organ organiza izatio tions. ns. Insid Inside e ALRO, ALRO, out out of seven seven issues issues as one; one; natu natural ral resour resource ce and and residential residential management has been implementing by putting them on the process of land reform implementation. Is the ALRP effective for the agrarian sector?
Implementation and Results of the ALRP
Something like sufficiency economy philosophy and sustainable development strategies which stated clearly in the Ninth Plan of National Economic and Social Development Plan are also part of this program. The aim at alleviation of poverty and the upgrading of the quality of life are highly applicable to the development strategy of “The Agricultural Land Reform Office” (ALRO) very well, as the major responsibilities are: •
•
•
Land allocation: allocation : ALRO conduct land allocation for farmers under the Agricultural Land Reform Act. The land is from both public and private land. Development: ALRO undertakes agricultural infrastructure development in land reform area by supporting the construction and maintenance of access road and water resources to enhance the better of farmers living and the capacity of water use for consumption and agriculture. Increasing Increasing income: ALRO carry out an improvement of agricultural production struct structure ure,, esta establi blish shing ing Agricu Agricultu ltura rall Land Land Refor Reform m Coope Coopera rativ tives es,, provi providin ding g agricultural agricultural credit and production inputs, developing and supporting supporting on-farm and off-farm occupation.
In addition, ALRO enable farmers to participate in natural resources and environment conse conserv rvati ation on in commu communit nities ies.. Thus Thus ALRO ALRO co-op co-opera erates tes with with relat related ed agen agencie cies s in improving farmers' standard of living according to the existing local conditions of each area and farmers' needs.
Public land
Publi Public c land land is the lands lands belon belongi ging ng to the gover governm nmen entt which which includ include e fores forestt lands lands,, common lands and government – used lands. Most of the public lands particularly forest lands are encroached upon for farming. Moreover, land transaction and transfer without land land cert certif ific icat ates es have have been been made made amon among g the the squa squatt tter ers s them themse selv lves es.. So far far the the gover governm nment ent has has attem attempt pted ed to deal deal with with these these cruci crucial al prob problem lems s by means means of land land
settleme settlement, nt, thus making certain certain squatte squatters rs to be legal legal landhold landholders. ers. Hence, it is not surprising that for the time being some parts of public lands are converted into private lands. At the present, the operation of public land in the whole kingdom have been allocating allocating for 1.49 million households covering covering area of 24.94 million rai. In each region, Northeastern Northeastern is highest region in the operation of declaration area with 26.26 million rai and land allocated area with 12.85 million rai as well as higher number of households were distributed to 0.761 million households. While, the South is lower region than other in total of land reform area declaration and land allocated areas.
Private land
In terms of land tenure in private lands is identified by ownership and leasehold. The holders with ownership basis may have title deeds or temporary land certificates. For leasehold, the holders must pay rent to the landlords or do not have to pay any kind of rent depending depending on the agreeme agreement nt made made between between them. them. In the agricul agricultura turall sector, sector, tenancy problems frequently occur in certain private lands and aggravate rural poverty. As far as the tenancy tenancy problems problems and land ownership ownership problems problems are concern concerned, ed, the government has included the private lands into the Agricultural Land Reform Program (ALRP). At the year 2005, the operation of private lands in the whole country have been allocating for 30,419 households covering area of 0.470 million rai. In each region, the Central region holds the highest land allocated area which cover 0.295 million rai. Moreover, numbers of households in the Central were distributed to 20,676 households, which is higher than other. While, the South region has lower land allocated area.
Other more ALRP-related Projects
Under the Royal Initiatives, on the year 1969 on the hill-tribe village at Chiang Mai, a province at the North region of Thailand, the King visited it and helped them by funding a Royal Projects Foundation using only his own funds. The reason is because he is concerned on the farmers on that village for doing earning of money from their peach and opium opium produ producti ction on.. Later Later that that year, year, the gove governm rnmen ent, t, publi public c and and inter internat nation ional al
organizations, joined the King by contributing more money for the funds of the said foundation. On the the year year of 1995 1995,, the the Roya Royall Proj Projec ectt Foun Founda dati tion on fund funded ed a larg large e numb number er of development programs and projects, which have benefited 295 villages and 14,109 rural households. Of the three key development areas of the Royal Projects, the area focused on marketing-related activities involves research and development on postharvest loss prevention, transportation, and packaging, processing and marketing. Another regarding on this foundation, research and development in processing of food and other other farm farm produ produce ced. d. The The prime prime objec objectiv tive e of the the prog program ram is to mana manage ge the surpluses produced, while increasing their value added through appropriate processing. In addit additio ion, n, other other incom income-g e-gene enera ratin ting g produ products cts in part particu icula larr hand handicr icraft afts, s, are also also included. For this, three food processing plants have been constructed, two in Chiang Mai and one in Chiang Rai. A marketing outlet of these processed fruits and food from the Royal Projects has been registered in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai under the brand name of “Doi Kam”. Another one is the Traditional Folk Arts and Crafts Program organized by the Queen of Thail Thailan and. d. The The Quee Queen n of Thail Thailan and d has has long long been been organ organizi izing ng a progr program am that that has has provi provided ded rural rural villa village gers rs all over over the count country ry with with traini training ng in the the skill skills s of tradit tradition ional al craftsmanship. The program, known as Silapacheep (artistic profession), also provides seed money for the rural villagers to obtain necessary inputs for the handicraft products and a guaranteed marker for them. Among the hundreds of handicraft items produced, the outstanding ones are the luxurious lady handbags made of a water grass called in the vernacular “Li Pao.”These are now a highly valued export item from which rural women have earned much more than they have from any agricultural product. Under of this program for helping also the Thai people on the rural areas and also on agrarian reform are some projects. As the start of this project, the Government Government allocated some of the budget to the villages and assigned the responsibility to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) for the implementation through through the Commun Community ity Develop Developmen mentt Departm Department ent.. Thus, Thus, the Poverty Alleviation Alleviation Project has been implemented since 1993. The support to target households and village committee are by educating, monitoring, supervising, evaluating and reporting. In term of benefits of the project are both direct and indirect to the poor households under poverty line, which was lower than 15,000 Baht at that time. The aims or objectives of this project are:
•
To have a fund for occupational investment in the villages;
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To provide the poor people with an opportunity to have a loan without interest;
•
•
•
To increase more income for the poor people so as to improve the quality of their lives; To create responsibility and sympathy toward one another in the village; and To stre streng ngth then en the the vill villag age e comm commit itte tee e pote potent ntia iall and and to empo empowe werr the the loca locall organizations (decentralization).
Also, the Poverty Eradication Center is one of the projects under the TFACP of the Queen. Aiming to serve as the core agency to integrate plans projects activities and funds for all related government units, local administrative organizations, and private organ organiza izatio tion n and and peopl people’ e’s s organ organiza izatio tions, ns, in the flight flight again against st povert poverty. y. The The main main objective is to tackle poverty in a holistic manner. The Government had announced the poverty alleviation policy as a national agenda. It launched a nationwide poverty registration program to allow people all cover the country to register their grievances with authority since 2004. According to the outcome of the registration program, more than eight million people came up to register with a total of 12million problems. problems. People in the program were divided into seven categories: categories: landless people, the homeless, illegal business operators, needy schoolchildren and students, those who have fallen victim to dishonest schemes, debt-ridden people, and those wishing to have their own house. The result is good. The progress of the Government’s efforts to tackle poverty that among the problems raised by registered people. And the most serious one was the debt problem. About five million people registered the debt problem, around 2 million registered the landless, about 0.25 million needy schoolchildren and students registered the problem of financial support for their studies, and about 91,000 people stated that they had fallen into dishonest schemes. schemes. Moreover, the number of the registered registered jobless and homeless people was 6,521. Almost 6,500 people registered problems concerning illegal businesses. More than 1.3 million people registered other problems. The government was planned a poverty eradication caravans. Those caravans will help to solve the poverty problems across the country. The Cabinet of Thai government approved guidelines for poverty eradication caravans arranged by the National poverty Eradication Center. The caravan project comes after the nationwide poverty registration
program. The project is in line with the Government’s road map against poverty, which is divided into three phases. The first phases implemented in 2004. The operation was to involve analysis of poverty problems and guideline for solving the problem. The second phase is implementing since 2005, its period cover to 2006. This phase aim to involve the easing of people’s hardships and other related issues. And the third phase which will carryout from 2007 to 2008. This phase prepare to calls for sustainability in tackling poverty and other related problems. Those Those are the programs programs of the Kingdom Kingdom of Thailan Thailand d regardin regarding g on their their economic economic,, agrarian reform and rural development. They do this for the benefit of their people in their country. But how about our country, Philippines? We must go back to the recent program implemented since Aquino’s administration.
COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM (CARP)
"A nation where there is equitable land ownership and empowered agrarian reform beneficiaries who are effectively managing their economic and social development for a quality of life".
Regardi Regarding ng on its definit definition, ion, some some people people defines defines that that the Compreh Comprehens ensive ive Agrarian Agrarian Refor Reform m Progr Program am is a progr program am of the the gover governm nmen entt that that aims aims to transf transfer er effec effectiv tive e management of a land ownership from the landowners to their tenants such as famers or workers to have their economic and social development for a quality of life of each. Some tells that CARP is a social justice and poverty alleviation alleviation program which seeks to empower the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) through equitable distribution and ownership of the land based on the principle of land to the tiller. It likewise provides opport opportuni unitie ties s for for a dign dignifi ified ed and and impro improved ved qualit quality y of life life of the ARBs ARBs throu through gh the prov provis isio ion n of adeq adequa uate te supp suppor ortt serv servic ices es for for soun sound d rura rurall deve develo lopm pmen entt and and the the establishment of economic-size farms as the basis of Philippine agriculture. Whatever their defined the CARP, those definitions relates on the vision of the program: "A nation where there is equitable land ownership and empowered agrarian reform beneficiaries who are effectively managing their economic and social development for a quality of life". So we will say that CARP is a program for the economic and social development, development, not only for the agrarian sector, it’s also for the Filipino people, to make a quality life sustaining the needs of each.
Back to it’s past
Like what the Philippine history told us, Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) of the year 1988 under the Corazon Aquino’s government is the “basis” for the implementation of CARP. This law embodies the state policy of processing CARP aimed at liberating the vast potential wealth of Philippine agriculture by giving the majority majority of the Filipinos the real and rightful rightful stake in the land. This is what I think the “most” change of the Philippine Agrarian Reform. Year 1992 when Fidel Valde Valdez z Ramo Ramos, s, the next next pres preside ident, nt, creat create e the the Repub Republic lic Act Act No. 7905, 7905, an act to strengthen the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and the Other Purposes. Until now, the CARP was existed.
Coverage of CARP
It covers, regardless of tenure arrangement and commodity produced, all public and private agricultural agricultural lands as provided in Proclamation Proclamation No. 131 and Executive Order No. 229, including other lands of the public domain suitable for agriculture More specifically, the following lands are covered by CARP: •
•
•
•
All alienable and disposable lands of the public domain devoted to or suitable for agriculture; All lands of the public domain in excess of the specific limits as determined by Congress in Section 4 (a) of R.A. No. 6657; All other lands owned by the government devoted to or suitable for agriculture; and All private lands devoted or suitable for agriculture regardless of the agricultural products raised or that can be raised thereon.
About the Implementation (Agencies)
It is good good for us to under understa stand nd how the peop people, le, espe especia cially lly people people that that need need the the inform informati ation on abou aboutt and and benef benefite ited d to this this prese present nt Compr Compreh ehens ensive ive Agra Agraria rian n Refor Reform m Program, know and relates themselves to the said program. In that case, we will say that the CARP is was implemented. One of the factors is by the help of some following agencies like: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is the “lead implementing agency” of the Comp Compre rehe hensi nsive ve Agrar Agrarian ian Refor Reform m Progr Program am (CAR (CARP) P).. It was was create created d in 1971 1971 under under Republic Act No. 6389 to replace the Land Authority, which was the agency created in 1963 under Republic Act No. 3844 to carry out the “Agricultural Land Reform Code of the Philippines”. As “lead “lead imple impleme menti nting ng agenc agency” y” of the the CARP CARP,, DAR’s DAR’s mand mandate ate is to carry carry out out the principal aspects of the Program, which are Land Tenure Improvement (LTI), Program Beneficiary Development (PBD), and the Delivery of Agrarian Justice (DAJ). How does the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) help the farmers? There are specific ways in which DAR helps the plight of farmers: •
•
•
Distribu Distribution tion of all agricul agricultura turall lands lands regardle regardless ss of tenuria tenuriall arrange arrangement ment and commodities produced. For non-land distribution however, the DAR strengthens and protects the farmers security of tenure in leasehold and stock distribution option. Deliv Delivery ery of appro appropri priate ate supp support ort servi services ces such such as intens intensifi ifica catio tion n of suppo support rt servic services es;; rural rural enter enterpri prise se develo developm pment ent,, prom promoti otion on of self-r self-reli elian antt livel liveliho ihood od programs, continuous social marketing and advocacy campaigns. Agra Agrari rian an just justic ice e for for agra agrari rian an-r -rel elat ated ed case cases s (e.g (e.g.. lega legall repr repres esen enta tati tion on & adjudication of cases)
In DAR land distribution program that uniformly implemented in the country, it would depend on the hectare target of the region. There are regions with high CARP scope and the others are high on non-Land Acquisition & Distribution (LAD) programs. Those with large remaining land acquisition balances are those with problematic landholdings which are currently being worked out by the DAR. (e.g., CARP balances in Negros, Region V balances, etc.). DAR also has a continuous education and information campaign. For instance, the Agrar Agrarian ian Refor Reform m (AR) (AR) Advo Advoca cacy cy Progr Program am is cond conduct ucted ed regu regular larly ly in scho schools ols and and institutions who would like to be oriented on CARP. Also, the Department also farms out info inform rmat atio ion n kit, kit, news newsle lett tter ers, s, broc brochu hure res, s, prim primer ers s and and othe otherr IEC IEC mate materi rial als s for for dissemination dissemination and distribution distribution to the public. It also accommodates accommodates walk-in researchers researchers from different sectors. This policy holds true to all DAR offices (local and national).
Rega Regardi rding ng on ARB ARB (Agra (Agraria rian n Refor Reform m Comm Communi unity) ty),, DAR, DAR, in coord coordina inatio tion n with with the Barangay Agrarian Reform Community (BARC) registers agricultural lessees, tenants and farmw farmwor orker kers s who are are quali qualifie fied d to be bene benefic ficiar iaries ies of CARP CARP.. Thes These e poten potentia tiall beneficiaries with the assistance of the BARC and the DAR shall provide the following data: •
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Names and members of their immediate farm household; Owne Owners rs or admi adminis nistr trato ators rs of the lands lands they they work work on and and length length of tenur tenurial ial relationship;
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Location and area of the land they work;
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Crops planted; and
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Share in the harvest or amount of rental paid or wages received
In the part of ARB, his or her obligations would be as follows to qualify as a beneficiary of CARP: •
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The agricultural productivity of the land should be maintained; and The change in the nature of the use of the land shall be protected except with the approval of the DAR under its rules on conversion or exemption.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is also concerned on CARP. The 8,061,864 hectares of agricultural land that is targeted to be distributed by the Philippine Government under the CARP is divided into: •
privately-owned lands,
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government-owned lands, and
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public Alienable and Disposable (A&D) lands.
The distribution of the first two categories of lands, which comprise 4,290,453 hectares, is the responsibility of the DAR, while the distribution of the third category – the public A&D lands – is the responsibility of the DENR. A total of 3,771,411 hectares of public A&D lands are targeted for distribution by the DENR, primarily to those who have occupied and cultivated these lands for at least thirty (30) years, and have religiously paid real estate taxes on them. The DENR issues “Free Patents” to these persons and these Free Patents are eventually converted into Original Certificates of Title (OCTs) once registered with the Registry of Deeds (ROD) of the Land Registration Authority
The DENR is also responsible for the survey of public A & D lands that it distributes, and for the inspection, verification and approval of surveys carried out by DAR on the lands that it has targeted for coverage under the CARP. The Department of Agriculture (DA) was originally charged with providing technical assistance to the ARBs in their agricultural production by way of facilitating their access to product production ion inputs, inputs, marketi marketing ng and credit credit informa information tion,, and post-pro post-product duction ion facilitie facilities s However, with the devolution of agricultural extension services to the Local Government Units (LGUs) pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1992, this assistance is now undertaken by the Provincial and Municipal Agriculturists who are part of the LGU bureaucracy, with the DA providing technical assistance to special projects that are of natio national nal cover coverag age. e. Howe However ver,, the DA is still still resp respons onsibl ible e for natio national nal progr program ams s for agricultural improvement. Hence, it still works with the DAR in the implementation of such programs among the ARBs, especially those in the Agrarian Reform Communities. The LBP or the Land Bank of the Philippines was specifically established by law to be, as its name suggests, the financial arm of the Philippine agrarian reform program. Its primary responsibility is the valuation and payment of lands that are acquired by the Gove Govern rnme ment nt for for dist distri ribu buti tion on to the the farm farmer er bene benefi fici ciar arie ies, s, and and coll collec ecti tion on of the the amortization payments for those lands from the beneficiaries. The Land Bank is also the major source of credit assistance to the ARBs, particularly those which are organized into cooperatives. It extends credit to the cooperatives on a “wholesale basis”, and the cooperatives, in turn, “retail” such credit to their members. To enable the cooperatives to “retail” the credit to their members at lower-than-market rates, and still earn a small profit out of this operation, operation, the Land Bank extends the credit to the cooperatives at subsidized rates. The Bank also has a commercial lending window through which it lends to small and medium industries at commercial rates. The profits that it derives from this commercial operation are what it uses to subsidize its lending to the cooperatives. Other agencies are helping CARP on its small needs such as promoting it to the barangays, rehabilitating farm-to-market roads, establishing market-linkage, etc. Present status of the program: the results
Gloria-Macapagal Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo creates the Bayan-Anihan Program for Rural Development Development or BPRD, which is known as Bayan-Anihan. The Bayan-Anihan is one of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s programs under the Arroyo’s administration. The aims of this program is to fast tracking of land acquisition and distribution, integrating, rationalizing and institutionalizing the delivery of support services, swift delivery of social justice, promo promoti ting ng peace peace,, inten intensif sifyin ying g and and social socializi izing ng mark marketi eting ng,, and and moder moderni nizin zing g DAR DAR bureaucracy.
Regarding on their aims, also earlier, before we discussed about the “ Agrarian Reform Program of Thailand” , I told that the government developed a “projects” that under of the Agrarian Reform program which are: •
“Land Tenure Development”;
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“Provisions of Good Services”;
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“Infrastructure Projects”;
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“KALAHIARZone”; and
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“Agrarian Justice”.
The objectives of this “projects” are similar on what Bayan-Anihan some aims. Land Tenure Development discussed what will DAR‘s next move. DAR will remain vigorous in implementing land acquisition and distribution regards to the implementation of CARP. Meanwhile, the Provisions of Good Services tells what are the other things that the CARP must have, which is the support services such as credit assistance, irrigation, extensio extension n services services,, farm-tofarm-to-mar market ket roads, roads, market market faciliti facilities es and establis establishme hments, nts, and training and technical skills programs. Next Next is Infrastructure Infrastructure Projects. Projects. DAR DAR want wants s that that the the ARC’ ARC’s s or Agra Agrari rian an Refo Reform rm Comm Communi unitie ties s will will trans transfor form m from from an area area that that focus focuses es on the the delive delivery ry of supp support ort services, into a rural economic zone that will create some job opportunities in the countryside. About the KALAHIARZone or KApit-bisig KApit-bisig LAban sa kaHIrapan kaHIrapan Agrian Reform Reform Zone is sub-provincial area consist of one or more local government or municipalities which has a great ARC population to achieve a great agro-productivity. It is also concentrated on the partnership and rural development efforts of some agencies of government and LGU’s. And last, the Agrarian Agrarian Justice. Justice. To help and clear a “backlog” of agrarian cases, DAR will hire more more paraleg paralegal al officers officers to support support underma undermanne nned d adjudic adjudicator atory y boards boards and introdu introduce ce a quota quota system system to compel compel adjudicator adjudicators s to work work faster faster regardi regarding ng on their their agrarian cases. In doing this, DAR must respect the rights of agrarian-related people and workers.
COMPARISON
This comparison statement will be also the summarization of my comparative study. As we can see, there are some similarities on both countries’ agrarian reform program. Between the Agricultural Land Reform Program of Thailand and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program of the Philippines, they are similar that: •
•
•
•
they want the tenants and landless farmworkers has an own equal land that he/she will be the owner;
they want those people will solved the agrarian-related problems, especially on their lands by sustaining them the needed things and support services, in result that those people will maintain it; they want each beneficiaries beneficiaries will will maintain a good life for their their selves as well well as for their families and good relations to others; and they want to inform other people about the importance of those programs to the society and for the country as well.
Both countries since can be classified as agricultural country, the government of each concentrates on what are the needs. Also, they want to fight poverty and lessen rural areas by giving some development, even though it’s very hard to achieve.
CONCLUSION This study highlighted the importance of the programs of the agrarian reform sector for us. Owning land is not sufficient to minimize risks and general problems. This study also told us that the government are doing all that they can do for their people, particularly for the very poor. On the part of comparison, we compared our Philippine Agrarian Reform Program to other agrarian reform programs of other countries like Thailand’s Agricultural Land Reform Program just to know what are part of their that can be adopt of ours like their Royal Projects Foundation and the Traditional Folk Arts and Crafts Program and see how the both programs similar on their objectives.
But to be the result, differences was seeing on the two agrarian reform programs. Howe However ver,, there there are are many many progra programs ms/pr /proje ojects cts that that relat related ed on thos those e two, two, some some are successful in a certain time, but some didn’t reach their achievements. Implementing a program that didn’t think and analyze the factors can be probable reason for a failure. Some Some factors factors that that affects affects are populat population ion increase, increase, income income gap, limit of land, land, high deman demand d of world world food food consu consump mptio tion, n, envir environ onme menta ntall degra degradat dation ion,, etc. etc. There Therefor fore, e, concerted efforts of parties concerned will be needed to fulfill the goal of agrarian reform and development of a country generally.
REFERENCES:
Navarro, Conrado S. “Institutional “Institutional Aspects of Policy Implementation and Management of the Philippine Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.” dated April, 2007.
Boras, Saturnino M. Jr. “CARP on its 12th Year: A Closer Examination of the Agrarian Reform Performance.” dated Performance.” dated June, 2000.
Department of Agrarian Reform, http://www.dar.gov.ph as of September, 2008.
Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative (MOAC), “National Report for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development in Thailand”. Dated February, 2006.
Wikipedia, “Thailand”, http://www.wikipedia.com as of September, 2008.
