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| Senate Committee on Agrarian Reform | |
|---|---|
| Name | Senate Committee on Agrarian Reform |
| Legislature | Senate of the Philippines |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Jurisdiction | Agrarian reform, land tenure, rural development |
| Chair | Senator Francis N. Pangilinan |
| Minority leader | Senator Imee R. Marcos |
| Members | 15 |
Senate Committee on Agrarian Reform
The Senate Committee on Agrarian Reform is a standing committee of the Senate of the Philippines responsible for legislative, oversight, and policy matters related to agrarian reform, land distribution, and rural tenancy issues. It interfaces with executive agencies such as the Department of Agrarian Reform, engages with stakeholders including peasant organizations like Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Federation of Free Farmers, and conducts hearings that involve institutions such as the Land Bank of the Philippines and the National Agrarian Reform Program.
The committee traces its modern formation to post-1986 People Power Revolution constitutional reforms and the promulgation of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, which re-established legislative committees including agrarian reform counterparts. Early influences included the passage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and debates in the 8th Congress of the Philippines and later plenary actions in the Senate of the Philippines (9th Congress). Prominent figures who shaped agrarian policy during the committee’s formative years include Cory Aquino, Edgardo Angara, Franklin Drilon, and Jovito Salonga. The committee’s agenda has intersected with landmark laws such as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law and administration initiatives under presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, Rodrigo Duterte, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
The committee’s jurisdiction covers statutes and regulation concerning land reform instruments like land acquisition and distribution, tenancy arrangements, and support services administered by agencies such as the Department of Agrarian Reform and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. It holds hearings with representatives from the Philippine Supreme Court, Court of Appeals of the Philippines, banking institutions like Development Bank of the Philippines, and international partners including the World Bank and Food and Agriculture Organization. Functions include drafting enabling legislation, amending statutes such as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Act, reviewing implementing rules from the Office of the President (Philippines), and coordinating with local government units like the Province of Nueva Ecija and municipalities such as Magalang, Pampanga.
Membership typically comprises senators appointed by the Senate Majority Leader (Philippines) and minority counterparts, including chairs from parties like Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and Lakas–CMD. Notable chairs have included Francis N. Pangilinan, Aquiles Z. Pimentel III, and figures from blocs such as Senatorial Slate 2016 and Senatorial Slate 2019. Members often include senators with rural constituencies from provinces like Isabela (province), Cagayan de Oro, and Bukidnon. The committee collaborates with legislative committees like the Senate Committee on Finance and Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
The committee has been central to deliberations on bills such as amendments to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, proposals to expand the Agricultural Tenancy Act framework, and measures to strengthen support services via the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Program. It has considered budget items affecting the Department of Agrarian Reform and worked on bills involving the Land Registration Authority and the Registry of Deeds system. Legislative exchanges have engaged advocacy groups including Anakpawis, Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMAL), and labor entities like Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, as well as corporate stakeholders such as San Miguel Corporation and agricultural cooperatives registered with the Cooperative Development Authority.
The committee conducts inquiries in aid of legislation into implementation lapses of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and disputes involving estates like Hacienda Luisita. It summons executive officials from the Department of Agrarian Reform, the National Irrigation Administration, and testimony from private landowners, peasant leaders, and international observers from Asian Development Bank missions. Past investigations have examined land valuation by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (Philippines), legal rulings by the Sandiganbayan, and administrative orders issued by Malacañang Palace. The committee’s investigative work has interacted with public interest law firms, human rights organizations like Karapatan, and academic centers such as the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
The committee’s work has influenced redistribution of agricultural lands, tenure security for agrarian reform beneficiaries, and funding priorities for rural development programs through mechanisms involving the Special Account in the General Fund and grants from entities like the Asian Development Bank. Critics from groups such as Amnesty International and grassroots organizations argue the committee’s policies have sometimes fallen short on timely land transfer, support services, and indigenous land rights adjudication involving the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Policy analysts from think tanks like the Philippine Institute for Development Studies and universities including Ateneo de Manila University have recommended reforms to harmonize agrarian law with rural credit schemes administered by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and infrastructure projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Category:Senate of the Philippines committees