Knowledge Programme Activity

Top

Overall Goal of the Project:

The project aims to undertake a study focusing on developing concrete insights and lessons for pursuing agrarian reform implementation in the Philippines , with special interest on the reform of sugarlands.

Top

Specific Objectives

1. Provide an overall update on the status of Agrarian Reform implementation in the Philippines , with a focus on the provinces of Batangas and Capiz

2. Investigate and document the status of land cases being implemented under three different agrarian reform schemes in Batangas and Capiz provinces:

   • Large haciendas in Capiz: update and analyze the current land status of five to eight haciendas (Badiangon, Sta. Cruz, Consolacion, Sto. Nino, ESMAC, Carmencita, and others)

   • Tenanted lands in Batangas covered under land transfer: document the land case of Barangay Toong, Tuy, Batangas
   • Retained tenanted lands in Batangas covered under leasehold: analyze emerging farmer issues and barriers met in pursuing leasehold contracts with landowners

3. Develop a comparative study of collective land management schemes vs. leaseback-to-landlord arrangements in Capiz, covering the haciendas of Carmencitas, Sto. Nino and ESMAC in Capiz

4. Utilize the process and findings of this action research to:
   • Educate farmers, farmworkers and NGO staff on the status and issues of agrarian reform
   • Assist NGOs and farmer organizations in analyzing lessons from their past experiences in community organizing, in order to develop strategic options and a work program for pursuing field-based agrarian reform work, including the potential of developing "barefoot para-legal workers"
   • Conduct policy dialogues with government agencies, NGOs, farmer organizations and other stakeholders.

Top

Activities/Project Methodology:

Activity 1: Establishing the research teams and carrying out the study

Two provincial research teams will undertake the study - one each for Batangas and Capiz. In each province, investigative data and analysis will be undertaken jointly with local Center for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (CARRD) staff and provincial farmer federations.

Activity 2: Disseminating and discussing research findings

Once the research data has been gathered, the initial findings will be reviewed, discussed and analyzed at the CSO Forums among NGOs and farmer organizations at the provincial level, under the auspices of CARRD.

Activity 3: Presentation of findings at provincial policy forums

The major findings, conclusions and analysis will then be presented and discussed at two multi-agency and multi-stakeholder provincial policy forums in co-sponsorship with the respective Provincial Agrarian Reform Committees (PARCOMs), which is the official monitoring body for Agrarian Reform implementation as mandated by Philippine law.

Activity 4: Presentation of findings, discussions and agreements to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The research findings, a summary of the discussions and agreements reached at the PARCOMs will be forwarded to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR National Office).

Top

Expected Results from the Project

Outputs:

1. Research focus, framework and methodology defined

2. Update report on the status of Agrarian Reform implementation in the Philippines , focusing on the provinces of Batangas and Capiz is developed and disseminated locally and internationally

3. Report on status of land cases being implemented under the three different agrarian reforms schemes (see specific objectives above) in Batangas and Capiz provinces is developed and disseminated locally and internationally

4. Report on collective land management schemes vs. leaseback-to-landlord arrangements in Capiz, covering the haciendas of Carmencitas, Sto. Nino and ESMAC in Capiz is developed and disseminated locally and internationally

5. Farmers, farmworkers and NGO staff are educated on the status and issues of agrarian reform (based on research findings)

6. NGOs and farmer organizations create a strategic strategy and a work program for pursuing field-based agrarian reform work, including the potential of developing "barefoot para-legal workers"

Assumptions:

The project assumes the openness of CARRD, its local partners and ANGOC to undertake this research initiative and include the needs and suggestions of the local communities affected. This project also assumes that the research findings will produce useful advocacy, lobbying tools for NGOs, community organizations and farmer's organizations.

Beneficiaries:

The main beneficiaries will be CARRD, ABRAC - a provincial federation in Capiz of agrarian reform beneficiary organizations, KASAMA - a peasant federation in Western Batangas and NAGKASAMA - a cooperative federation of small farmers and tenants from two municipalities of Balayan and Tuy, Batangas.

Interested Parties:

CARRD: Will provide overall coordination and facilitation of all project activities, including the research in collaboration with other partners. It will be responsible for the use of the project funds, writing progress and financial reports.

ABRAC: Will assist local CARRD staff in the province of Capiz with data gathering and analysis.

KASAMA: Will assist local CARRD staff in the province of Batangas with data gathering and analysis.

NAGKASAMA: Will assist local CARRD staff in the province of Batangas with data gathering and analysis.

Top

Main Institutions and Their Roles

Top

Factors Ensuring Sustainability

Top

Monitoring and Evaluation

Project monitoring will be conducted by CARRD through regular review and assessment meetings or workshops together with local partners involved in the research and subsequent training of farmers, farm workers and NGO staff.

Process documentation of major and critical activities will be undertaken throughout the project life. If areas of missing information are identified after the completion of the study and the consultations at the provincial CSO forums and policy forums, CARRD should make efforts to fill in the information gaps. The research findings and the outcomes of the provincial CSO Forums and policy forums should also then be disseminated at the international level (through conferences, through the International Land Coalition). 

Summary of Monitoring and Evaluation Schedule

Top