agrarian reform, rural development, local governance, Philippines

It is all about economic viability and ecological integrity. It promotes the competitive advantage of the country in agriculture while seeing to it that productive resources are protected from abuse.

Above all, it is about equity, for it is an investment in social justice and peace - the milieu fundamental to economic growth and holistic development.

Making millions of small farmers owners of the land they till gives them a stake in society. Owner-cultivatorship also releases their potentials as producers and consumers.

But it will not come about without extraordinary political will based on a clear understanding of socio-economic, political and cultural realities.

It will succeed only if the farmers and farmworkers demand its implementation and participate in the process.

KAISAHAN is committed to help accelerate program implementation and facilitate beneficiaries' participation in all aspects and stages of agrarian reform and rural development including democratic participation in governance.

Facilitate agrarian reform implementation and sustainable rural development alongside marginalized groups, especially small farmers and farmworkers and other stakeholders at the national and local level toward the formation of sustainable integrated area development (SIAD) communities where people are empowered and have COCO:

All these leading to sustainable development marked by BREAD:

The enactment of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) on June 15, 1988 signaled the beginning of new era for advocates of agrarian reform and rural development (ARRD). At that time, the new law was under severe criticisms from ARRD advocates because of many loopholes that could spell disaster in actual program implementation.

In 1990, former Sec. Florencio "Butch" Abad was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform. Unfortunately, his stint with the DAR was cut short after a few months. His group, however, decided to pursue agrarian reform advocacy even while working outside the government. They believed that despite the flaws of the law, certain provisions can still be maximized for the benefit of small farmers and farm workers. With this optimistic note, Kaisahan tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Kanayunan at Repormang Pansakahan or Solidarity Towards Countryside Development and Agrarian Reform (also known as Kaisahan) was formed on June 5, 1990.

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Empowered and sustainable communities of women and men; building a Philippines with an activist state that is civil society-biased; a people-led economy which sustainable provides for its growing needs based on sound agricultural development and industry; of citizens constantly vigilant of their rights and freedom, nurturing spirituality, caring for each other and the earth and enhancing our nation's rich yet diverse cultural heritage; towards building a world free from inequity, injustices and prejudices, with global cooperation among co-equal sovereign striving for peace and environmental soundness for future generations.

Kaisahan is a social development organization promoting a sustainable and humane society through the empowerment of marginalized groups in rural areas, especially among farmers and farmworkers, to undertake their own development, participate fully in democratic processes and demand their rightful share in the stewardship of the land and the fruits of their labor.

Atty. Florencio B. Abad
Chairperson

Mr. Victor Gerardo J. Bulatao
Vice-Chairperson

Ms. Jane Lynn D. Capacio
Secretary

Atty. Marlon J. Manuel
Treasurer

Dr. Victoria Apuan
Member

Atty. Normita V. Batula
Member

Atty. Corazon Gaite-Llanderal
Member

Atty. Magistrado A. Mendoza
Member

Atty. Ma. Lourdes Pacuribot
Member

Ms. Esther Penunia-Banzuela
Member

Mr. Tomasito S. Villarin
Member

Mr. Anthony Marzan
Staff Representative