September 26, 1972

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 2

PROCLAIMING THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AS A LAND REFORM AREA

WHEREAS, there is pressing need to accelerate the Agrarian Reform Program of the Government for the early attainment of the objectives set forth in Republic Act No. 3844, as amended;

WHEREAS, among such objectives is to achieve dignified existence for the small farmers free from the pernicious institutional restraints and practices which have not only retarded the agricultural development of the country but have also produced widespread discontent and unrest among our farmers, one of the causes of the existing national emergency; and

WHEREAS, it is believed that the lasting objectives of land reform may be sooner realized if the whole country is declared a land reform area;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, as amended, whereby I have assumed direction of the operation of the entire Government, do hereby proclaim the whole country, as land reform area.

All agencies and offices of the Government are enjoined to extend full cooperation and assistance to the Department of Agrarian Reform to insure the successful prosecution of the Agrarian Reform Program.

The Agrarian Reform Coordinating Council created under Executive Order No. 347, series of 1971, is hereby directed to convene immediately to exercise its functions.

The Secretary of Agrarian Reform shall take the necessary steps for the prompt and effective implementation of this decree.

Done in the City of Manila, this 26th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-two.