Encomienda.

The Encomienda System, a collaborative effort between Spanish rulers, the Crown, and elite figures,
stands as an economic mechanism that not only shaped the economic landscape of the past era but also
left an indelible mark on Filipino history. At its essence, this system involved the allocation of land and
indigenous labor to Spanish conquistadors as a reward for their pivotal roles in the Spanish conquest to
the Pacification of the Philippines. The ramifications of this arrangement were profound, particularly for
the native population, who played a role in driving the economic development of the colonies, notably in
agriculture and mining endeavors.
(Under this system, they also viewed it as an opportunity to impart religious teachings to indigenous
Filipinos and convert them to Christianity.)

Encomenderos.

Central to this system were the encomenderos, individuals granted significant authority over the
indigenous Filipinos. These encomenderos held the power to compel laborers to toil in various tasks, all
in the service of fulfilling tribute obligations. They were granted authority that extended for more than
two to three generations. The longevity of their titled created a tension between the crown and the
encomenderos due to the delimited perpetuity of their power.

Conquistadors.

In parallel, there were the conquistadors, individuals who held a comparable level of authority to the
encomenderos but were primarily tasked with leading expeditions in search of new territories.
Conquistadors, frequently composed of soldiers or fortune-seeking opportunists, were motivated by the
prospect of exploiting both the newly discovered lands and indigenous labor, all in pursuit of resources
and wealth that will benefit the rulers and colonies. They are either people who are rewarded with
encomiendas or hunters that seeks wealth through exploration and conquest.

Encomenderos and Conquistadors.

The symbiotic relationship between encomenderos and conquistadors underscored the coercive nature
of the Encomienda System, where indigenous labor was harnessed for the enrichment of the ruling elite.
This dynamic not only defined the economic landscape of the time but also shaped the trajectory of
Filipino history, leaving a lasting legacy of exploitation and its enduring repercussions on the Filipino
people.

Origin and spread.

Following the culmination of the Reconquista in 1492, which marked the expulsion of Muslims from their
long-held conquest in Granada (1481-1492), the encomienda system began to take shape as a means of
governing newly acquired territories. This system was introduced to Spanish colonies by early settlers
who arrived in Hispaniola and expanded in tandem with the growth of Spanish colonial territories,
becoming a pivotal element of their economies. Within this framework, Spanish authorities also
recognized an opportunity to disseminate religious teachings to indigenous Filipinos, with the aim of
converting them to Christianity. This parallel with their earlier endeavors to convert Muslims and Jewish
people in Spain underscores the broader religious motivations that fueled their actions, both within
Spain and in the Philippines.
End of Encomienda System.

The decline of the Encomienda system, especially in the Philippines, can be attributed to its inherent
violence, which led to a significant reduction in the indigenous population. As the primary colony of the
Spanish in Asia, the Philippines experienced a sharp decline in both the labor force and the availability of
resources for the elites. The harsh treatment meted out by the Encomenderos, who were responsible for
enforcing this system, played a pivotal role in its downfall.

Hacienda System.

Emerging from the Encomienda system, the Hacienda system took root in the early 19th century as the
Spanish government introduced policies aimed at propelling the colony into the capitalist global
economy. This transformation saw the Philippines transition into an exporter of raw materials and an
importer of goods, firmly connecting its economy to the world market. The rise of the Hacienda system
was a response to the growing demand for agricultural exports, leading to the emergence of a new form
of land ownership in the region.

Hacienda and Hacienderos.

A "hacienda" refers to a large tract of land, historically utilized for various purposes such as factories,
agriculture, mining, and plantations in the 19th century.

These expansive properties were owned by individuals known as "hacienderos." In the 19th century,
hacienderos often included conquistadors who had been granted land following the abolishment of the
encomienda system and the subsequent transition to the hacienda system.

Hacienda De Calamba.

A massive land with an area of 16, 424 hectares. It was a land owned by Domincan Friars. Hacienda de
Calamba is also classified into three lands: Tierras Palayeras, Tierras Canadulzales and Tierras Catijanes
which differs in determined rents. The land was owned by Don Manuel Jauregui. Under his authority,
only about less than of 2000 hectares are given attention and the rest were left uncultivated. The
abundance of this lands went fleeting due to agrarian disputes and agricultural crisis.

Productivity Class.

Under the Tierras palayeras, rice farming was prominent. The categorization of lands into Secano “dry
lands “and Regadio “wetlands” based on their moisture levels is a common classification system in
agriculture and land use. Additionally, these lands are further classified into three classes: First Class,
Second Class, and Third Class, which determine their productivity rates.

Inquilinos, Dumaans and Sacada.

The term "inquilinos" in Spanish refers to tenants who both pay rent and taxes on the hacienda. Through
this tenancy arrangement, Spanish rulers would grant inquilinos certain rights to their own lands, such as
enabling them to engage in farming and agricultural activities.

Agricultural Crisis, Agrarian Dispute and the Role of Rizal in this matter.
As Dominican Friars gained increasing authority over the lands, one of the grievances among the
inquilinos was the imposition of taxes without proper measurement. Over the years, these taxes saw
abrupt increases, while the Dominican Friars themselves paid lower taxes on their larger landholdings
compared to those with smaller plots.

In 1745-46, Filipinos came together to demand the return of the lands to the native population.
However, their plea was met with refusal by the Dominican Friars, leading to riots, looting, and arsons.
Ultimately, they succeeded in appealing for the return of their lands.

Farmers or tenants were paid based on the quality of their harvest. If they couldn't produce enough,
their rental fees wouldn't decrease but would unreasonably increase, forcing them to pay double what
they owed. This discouragement led to neglect of farmlands, resulting in an agricultural crisis. The wages
for their harvest remained extremely low, while their annual rents skyrocketed.

The actions of the Filipino tenants came to the attention of the Dominican Friars, who threatened them,
warning that continuing their petition would lead to death. They were given two options: pay or be
dispossessed of the land they owed.

However, the story doesn't end there. In 1888, Jose Rizal wrote a petition highlighting the unjust
mistreatment endured by these people under the abusive power of the Dominican Friars. Rizal
emphasized the poverty and deprivation faced by the Filipinos despite their constant efforts. Their plea
was not for privileges or sacrifices but for justice and equity between inquilinos and agrarians.

Two years after Rizal's petition, more than 60 families and approximately 400 tenants or inquilinos were
violently deprived of their lands. Even if Rizal's family, despite being one of the most prominent and
prosperous families that paid taxes, was not spared from this fate.

(Rizal’s litigation was viewed as an intimidating act that threatened the authority of the Dominican Friars,
leading to the expulsion of his family and all individuals associated with this petition.)