American Period

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After more than three hundred Spanish conquests, the Americans figured out that one of the origins of the war during the Spanish period was the seizure of Filipino lands. so one of the things that the they paid attention to was the map development and fix the land possession of the filipinos. The following are significant legislations enact during American period.

“Long live America”

Significant legislation enacted during the American Period:

Philippine Bill of 1902

This law provided regulations on the disposal of public lands wherein a private individual can own 16 hectares of land while the corporate land holdings can avail of 1, 024 hectares. This also gave the rights to the Americans to own agricultural lands. Some 400,000 native farmers were without titles at the start of the American era, this situation was also aggravated by the absence of records of issued titles and accurate land surveys. To remedy the situation, the Torrens system was then introduced to replace the registration system implemented by the Spaniards.

Land Registration Act 1902

This law aims to create the Land Registration Court which enforces the Torrens system on land and real estate ownership.

What is Torrens System?

is a system for registration of land under which, upon the landowner’s application, the court may, after appropriate proceedings, direct the issuance of a certificate of title. With exceptions, this certificate is conclusive as to applicant’s estate in the land.

Candastal Act

Candastal Act survey of land stipulates that landowners must have title and certificate. But, The Torrens system, which the Americans instituted for the registration of lands, did not solve the problem completely. Most of these Filipino lands are no longer registered, perhaps the landowner does not know the law or does not have enough fees to map and register their land.

Public Land Act of 1903

introduced the homestead system in the Philippines.

Homestead Program of 1903

This program allowed an enterprising tenant to acquire a farm of at least 16 hectares to cuItivate. However, the program was not implemented nationwide and was introduced only in some parts of Mindanao and Northern Luzon,where there were available public alienable and disposable lands. There was no limit on the size of landholdings one could possess. Landholdings were once again concentrated in the hands of fewer individuals who can afford to buy, register, and acquire fixed titles of their properties. Hence, more lands were placed under tenancy.

These uprisings resulted to social disorder in 1920's and 1930's. Hence, more militant peasants and workers' organizations bonded together for a more collective action against the abuses of landlords and unjust landownership situation. This gave birth to the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Tenancy Act of 1933

(Rice Share Tenancy Act No. 4054 and Sugar Tenancy Contracts Act No.4113)

regulated relationships between landowners and tenants of rice (50-50 sharing) and sugar cane lands.

Friars Land Act

The lands seized and confiscated by the priests, were sold by the Americans to private owners or ordinary Filipinos. But the money did not go to the real owners which are Filipinos. It still went to the Americans. So the desire of the Americans to develop the discussion about land was not fulfilled because: First of all, only the americans benefited from the land of the filipinos. Second, Filipino farmers are still marginalized and have not been given their own land. Finally, there is still the interest of the Americans to occupy the land of the Filipinos.

What were the tenancy and land ownership situation during this period?

• Contrasting economic and political lifestyle between tenant and the landlord became very common. Landlords became richer and powerful while the tenants were deprived of their rights and became poorer.

• Absentee landowners increased. They preferred to go after new opportunities in the cities and left their farms idle or to the management of “katiwalas”. As a result, haciendas were poorly and unjustly managed.

• A small plot of land cultivated by an average peasant farmer could not sustain a decent living

• for the family.

• Tenants and farmers shouldered excessive fines, unfair taxation and usury.

• Systems for credit and marketing of rice were lacking thus, farmers received a very low selling price.

• Peasant uprising became widespread all over the country were placed under tenancy.

The following Land Acts were also one of the Laws that enacted during the American Period:

First Public Land Act (Act No. 926)

• Provides the rules for selling and leasing portions of public domain, completing defective titles, canceling and confirming Spanish concession.

Second Public Land Act (Act No. 2874)

• - Limits the use of agricultural land to Filipinos, american, and citizen of other countries.

Act 141

• amended act 2874. A temporary provision of equality and corporations.