LAND OWNERSHIP IN THE PHILIPPINES UNDER THE AMERICANS

Summary

Jasmina B. Abdul Manan discusses land ownership reforms in the Philippines under American rule. The U.S. introduced policies like the Philippine Bill of 1902 to address landlessness by increasing small landholders and allowing Americans to own land. Despite efforts such as the Land Registration Act and Homestead Program, these reforms worsened the situation, benefiting only those who could afford land. Many Filipinos, unable to maintain ownership, fell back into tenancy. The system led to social unrest, including uprisings like the Sakdalista rebellion. Attempts at reform under President Quezon’s Commonwealth government also faced challenges.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Americans recognized that landlessness was a major cause of social unrest in the Philippines and attempted to address it through land policies.
• 📜 The Philippine Bill of 1902 allowed private individuals to own up to 16 hectares of land, while corporations could hold up to 1,024 hectares.
• 🇺🇸 Americans were also given the right to own agricultural land in the Philippines.
• 🗺️ The Land Registration Act (Act 496) introduced the Torrens system to manage land titles and land surveys, addressing the lack of earlier land records.
• 🏞️ In 1903, the Homestead Program was launched, allowing individuals to acquire at least 16 hectares of farmland, but it was mainly limited to Northern Luzon and Mindanao.
• ⚖️ Land ownership issues worsened during the American period due to the lack of limits on land holdings, and only those who could afford land titles benefited from the reforms.
• 💸 Many landless farmers who received land returned to tenancy because of financial hardships, and wealthy landowners took over their lands.
• ⚔️ The unfair land system led to peasant uprisings, including the Colorum and Sakdal uprisings in Luzon.
• 🏛️ President Quezon's administration launched social justice programs like the National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC) and continued land reform efforts, but they faced challenges due to lack of funds.
• 🛑 Agrarian reforms were disrupted by World War II and the Japanese occupation, halting progress on land distribution and farmer support.

Q & A

What was the primary cause of social unrest in the Philippines during the American period?

The primary cause of social unrest in the Philippines during the American period was landlessness, as most Filipino farmers and tenants did not own the land they worked on.

What was the main purpose of the land policies introduced by the Americans in the Philippines?

The main purpose of the land policies introduced by the Americans was to increase the number of small landholders and distribute land ownership among Filipino tenants and farmers.

What were the land ownership limitations for individuals and corporations under the Philippine Bill of 1902?

Under the Philippine Bill of 1902, private individuals could own up to 16 hectares of land, while corporations were allowed to own up to 1,024 hectares.

What was the purpose of Act No. 496 or the Land Registration Act enacted by the Philippine Commission?

The purpose of Act No. 496, or the Land Registration Act, was to introduce the Torrens system to address the absence of earlier records of land titles and to conduct accurate land surveys.

What was the Homestead Program introduced in 1903, and where was it implemented?

The Homestead Program, introduced in 1903, allowed individuals to acquire at least 16 hectares of agricultural land to start farming. It was mainly implemented in Northern Luzon and Mindanao.

Why did land ownership conditions worsen under American rule despite land reform efforts?

Land ownership conditions worsened because there were no limits on the size of land holdings, and only those who could afford to buy and register land had access to ownership. Additionally, lands were often sold or leased to American and Filipino business interests.

What was one of the consequences of the American land policies on Filipino farmers?

One consequence of the American land policies was that many landless farmers who received land could not sustain ownership due to a lack of support mechanisms and were forced to return to tenancy, with wealthy landowners taking over their lands.

What led to the widespread peasant uprisings like the Colorum and Sakdal uprisings in Luzon?

The widespread peasant uprisings were caused by the worsening conditions under American land policies, as more land became concentrated under tenancy and the disparity in land ownership increased.

What was the Sakdal Uprising, and what did it signify?

The Sakdal Uprising was a two-day rebellion by farmers in Central Luzon in May 1935, protesting land ownership inequality. It was quickly suppressed but highlighted the deep-seated social unrest caused by land issues.

How did President Manuel L. Quezon attempt to address the land ownership issues during the Commonwealth period?

President Manuel L. Quezon implemented a social justice program to purchase large estates (haciendas) and distribute them to tenant farmers. He also established the National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC) and the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) to assist farmers, although these efforts were limited by funding shortages.