2024-11-192024-11-190000http://192.9.200.215:4000/handle/123456789/219The paper traces the history of the impoverishment of the Filipino peasantry, including colonial influences and post-colonial efforts to address rural poverty. The text critically reviews the agrarian reform programs, land tenure systems, and industrialization policies implemented by successive governments, evaluating their effectiveness in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural communities. It also highlights the systemic issues that continue to perpetuate inequality in the Philippines, with a focus on the rural-urban divide.This paper examines the historical and contemporary challenges faced by the Filipino peasantry, exploring the impact of agrarian reform efforts, industrialization as a development strategy, and the country's rural anti-poverty programs. The study highlights the failures and successes of past initiatives such as the Land Reform Bill, the Samahang Nayon Program, and agricultural credit programs like Masagana 99. It also critically analyzes the role of the state, foreign investments, and the uneven distribution of benefits between the urban elite and rural poor in shaping the country’s economic development.enPhilippine Rural DevelopmentAnti-Poverty ProgramsAgrarian ReformIndustrializationLand ReformRural Credit ProgramsSamahang NayonRural Development StrategyFilipino PeasantryWorking Paper