Social,
Political,
Economic,
Cultural,
—Issues
The past has been so broad and complex making it harder for my fellows before, but impacted greatly in this present world. We were colonized by different countries like Spain and America where Filipinos have suffered immensely, from bloody wars up to inequalities in their day to day living but somehow ended up rightly through valuable policies being implemented.
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During the Spanish period, there was this system called encomienda that is unfair and abusive. A Royal Order issued in December of 1500 that gave rise to the encomienda system in the Spanish colonies. Encomiendas, which were given to favor Spanish officials and clergy tasked with caring for the spiritual and temporal development of the natives in a colonial country, were made possible by virtue of this Royal Order. Given that half of the workforce works in the agricultural sector and that the majority of people reside in rural regions, one of the most important lessons I learned was how crucial agrarian reform is to the economy of our nation.
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As someone who was born and raised in a province, it has clearly benefited a significant portion in my community especially to my family for being farmers through its various programmes intended to alleviate poverty, ensuring food security while it empowers every Filipinos towards the overall development of the country. Thus, it's really a great help in relieving the unemployment pressure and in increasing agricultural production and productivity.
Aside from that, taxation's history widened my awareness about it more. Tax income is the primary source of funding for the Philippine government's operations and development initiatives. Since taxes are the government's lifeblood, they play a crucial role in determining the economic and fiscal policies of the nation. Philippine Tax policy developed and evolved through time from our colonial experience where every administration has its own policy how to increase the revenue of the country.
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As such, former president Corazon Aquino reformed the tax system through the 1986 Tax Reform Program in which one of its aims is to improve equity by ensuring that individuals and businesses in comparable circumstances pay the same taxes. Taxes are indeed relevant in delivering essential public services like health care, school buildings and other social services and equality is needed.
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Furthermore, the 1935 constitution or the known Commonwealth seemed to serve the nation well. It provided the Philippines with 26 years of stable, constitutional rule at a time when many other Asian nations were falling prey to communist upheaval or military dictatorship. The country from American sovereignty had a self-ruling government except in matters of treasury and foreign affairs. Through former President Quezon, I've learned that several programs and projects that would improve the country and the plight of the Filipino people were set that are beneficial in our country these days as national security and social justice were pursued and implemented.
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The 1987 Constitution today, on the other hand, safeguards our institutions from a repeat of Marcos' Martial Law regime. If there has been a serious abuse of discretion, the Supreme Court has the authority to examine all official actions. We can't lock Congress down. It is the highest and fundamental law of the land that governs the Philippines, establishing the structure, roles, policies, and duties of the Philippine government in governing the citizens and the country.
These learnings are only one of those essential ones that I gained within these past days. Through these, my knowledge was widened enough about my loving country's system before that has influenced today, unveiling simple ways I can do as a citizen for its progress and betterment as a manifestation of my patriotism, fighting it until the end. As a bonafide student in my university and as a former one in my previous schools, I've learned something from these that can help me support it and understand whatever situations I'll undergo specifically in my present school. I can use these informations and compare it to where we are today to track our progress and perhaps get new ideas. In my family and community, I can impart or share such to them and learn something as well most especially to those who don't know it.
REFERENCE
Studocu. (n.d.). Social, political, economic AND cultural issues IN Philippine History - LAND REFORM OF THE - Studocu. Retrieved from https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/araullo-university/random/social-political-economic-and-cultural-issues-in-philippine-history/11784688