Samson, Sarah Denise O.

3ECE-A

The Agrarian Reform in the Philippines under the Benigno Aquino

Administration:
Are the Poor Farmers Better Off?

We all know that the Philippines is a largely agrarian country. Being that, agrarian reform is a very
important matter, and its snail-paced development is a major setback, highlighting social injustice
and rural poverty. There really was not much progress on this matter and we can say that it is
another reflection of lack of political will. There is too much history on this, but very little were
accomplished. Twenty-four years of implementation, but improvement is as hazy as the foggy
mornings on a provincial farm. But let us not delve in that numerous years of past eras and
administrations. Instead, let us focus on what is present, on what is happening right now.

At the start of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, many were
sceptical on whether he will do something regarding agrarian reform, given that he
failed to mention his approach on this matter in his inaugural speech. His mothers
family, the Cojuangcos, also have often been negatively assessed on their
ownership of Hacienda Luisita. The implementation of agrarian reform in Hacienda
Luisita is actually what people deem as the ultimate test of his presidency. Yes, he
has a major role on this battle. Then again, technically, it is not just up to our
president to accomplish all the things that has to be done. This is not about our
president. This is about the agrarian reform at present.
When P-Noy stepped into office, 1 209 236 hectares of land are still to be
distributed. The Carper Law expires by 2014 but Budget Secretary Florencio Abad
said in a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer last year, Even if the Carper
law expires by 2014, for as long as notices [of coverage] have been issued and the
process of acquisition have started, that process up to distribution, we believe, can
continue beyond 2014. The president also promised to finish distributing the lands.
But this administrations DAR is actually the least progressive one.

In 2010, only 107 180 hectares of land were distributed, whereas the target for that
year is 200 000. In 2011, 111 889 hectares were distributed, and only 92 129 in
2012, making it the year wherein the lowest CARP accomplishment was recorded. In
their Report on the State of Agrarian Reform (2012), DAR confesses that the first
one and half years of the Aquino government were less than outstanding and that
DAR failed to meet its target for the year. And even though the president has
released 1 Billion to fund credit assistance for the beneficiaries, very few were
reported to be satisfied. Another reflection of DARs dismal performance is their
failure to yet remove administrative orders that undermines the implementation of
the reform and favors the landowners.
This year DAR stated that they will provide lawyers for the beneficiaries. Because
some of the people who have received their CLOAs (Certificate of Land Ownership
Award) has not yet been given the chance to set foot and cultivate their land
because the landowners imposed heavy security on the properties. Actually, DAR
should have formally installed them in the land so as to prevent these cases
wherein social injustice is again prevalent. These landowners also are very unfair,
given that they are already the ones who are not in poverty and yet they still want
to claim what is rightfully not theirs anymore.
DAR's initiation of the distribution process of Hacienda Luisita and their distribution
of the four big haciendas in Negros Occidental this year is a very big development
and they should continue these kinds of breakthroughs.
I actually believe that the DAR of the present administration is really the problem.
DAR officials that are conniving with the landowners are hindering the department
to do what it is meant to do. It has also been said that their office frequently has no
people and now they are saying that they will lessen their employees since lesser
lands are now left to be distributed. Really, I do not see the sense in that. Time is
running out. The DAR should be double-timing right now. Approximately, they
should be able to distribute 82 000 hectares every month until 2014. So how can
they do that if they are going to decrease personnel? Also, they should not be
always pointing to NGOs when farmers complain. It is their job and responsibility to

help these people who are suffering injustice because of their inability to deliver a
good performance.
Even if they say that as long as all notices are issued and all processes of
acquisition are started, the reform can still continue, it does not mean that they can
just procrastinate on doing their job because many people are out there, suffering
and waiting for justice to be served. There are so many big issues that have been
neglected for so many years and have caused so much negativity in our country.
The Hacienda Luisita and the Sumilao farmers of Bukidnon are just a few of them.
Killings and such had already taken place because of these lands that our poor
farmers long to till and that corrupt officials and landowners are depriving them.
Yes, lesser lands are now left to be distributed. But then again, that should be the
case because that is what SHOULD be. But the progress remains slow and many
farmers are still suffering. And no, the farmers are not better off at all. There are
some who have thankfully and finally claimed their right but the ratio still tips to
those who still has not received what is due for them.
President Aquino should keep on pursuing and be transparent on dealing with the
agrarian reform to ensure the completion of all notices for lands covered by
CARP/CARPER. Also, the accumulation of unreached targets should not be allowed to
increase more. Security for the farmers against the violence of the landowners
should be implemented, as well as support from relevant agencies. The
administrative orders that I previously mentioned should be worked upon revoking
as well. Hardwork is of the essence here. Targets must be accomplished or more if
possible, so as to increase the possibility of completing this reform. If this becomes
finished, it will be a major improvement on our society, economy, and the country
as a whole. Poverty will at least be decreased, justice will be served, and there will
then be a new confidence and trust in our government which we really need.
At the end of the day, it may be true that very few were reported to be satisfied on
the proceedings and progress of the agrarian reform. But then again, despite being
optimistic people, the media is known to report good vibes on very seldom
occasions. This may be the reason why we only see the negative side of things. We

do think that our eyes are very much opened when we see all the negative side of
things, but it is the positive that we fail to consider. Yes, the poor farmers are not
yet that better off compared to the past, but at least there has been some
improvement on their livelihood. Yes, there are still so many lands that are yet to be
distributed, but let us hope for the best that the president will try to fulfill his
promise of finishing the distribution of lands and DAR shall perform above our
expectations. It is not an easy job to do, and there are so many other factors out
there. There are some farmers who keep wanting more, corrupt officials, selfish
landowners, farmers who are afraid of the vicious landowners, and such. Ultimately,
we just have to put our faith in humanity and hope that these poor Filipino farmers
will be better off someday, and hopefully, that someday comes soon.