This paper analyzes the land policies that the American colonial government implemented in the Philippines. These policies include the Public Land Policy, the Friar Lands Policy, the Homestead Program and Torrens Title Program. This paper argues that the American-sponsored land policies were a radical development in Philippine agrarian history because it was the first time that the government responded positively to the clamor of the tenants to become owner-cultivators. It identifies the persons who formulated the policies and their respective political agenda. Second, it analyzes the important provisions of these land policies and examines their merits and shortcomings. Third, it examines whether these policies had lasting positive effects on the economic life of the Filipinos. Lastly, this paper verifies whether the American land policies were able to address the root cause of the agrarian problems of the Philippines.
ISSN 0119-8386 (Print)
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