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 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.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines