Ramon Magsaysay

Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay

(August 31, 1907 - March 17, 1957)

Life

Wife:

Shyvi Luz Magsaysay

Children: 

Teresita Banzon-Magsaysay

Milagros "Mila" Banzon-Magsaysay

 Ramon "Jun" Banzon-Magsaysay, Jr.

* He was born in Iba, Zambales on August 31, 1907 to Exequiel Magsaysay, a blacksmith, and Perfecta del Fierro, a schoolteacher.

* He came from a middle-class family, contrary to the popular notion that he originated from the masses.

Education

•  Zambales Academy (Secondary Education)
• University of the Philippines 1927 (Engineering)
• Jose Rizal College 1928 - 1932 (Commerce)

(Life after  graduating)...

* He worked as automobile mechanic and shop superintendent. 

* He occupied a supervisory position at Try-Tran Company owned by Teodoro R. Yangco.

* He was promoted as a branch manager of the transportation agency in Iba, Zambales.

* He joined the motor pool of the 31st Infantry Division of the Philippine army when World War II broke out.

* Japanese - American War, he entered into the Fil-Am Military Forces.

• He volunteered his service (as well as the buses of the Try-Tran Company) to be used in the war effort.
• In 1942, he participated in Guerilla activities to drive away the Japanese Militray Forces in the Philippines. 

* When Bataan surrendered in 1942, Magsaysay escaped to the hills, organized the Western Luzon Guerrilla Forces, and was commissioned captain on April 5, 1942.

* Magsaysay was among those instrumental in clearing the Zambales coast of the Japanese prior to the landing of American liberation forces on Jan. 29, 1945.

* After the war, Magsaysay was appointed by the U. S. Army as military governor of Zambales on Feb. 4, 1945. 

* On Feb. 8, 1946, Maj. Magsaysay was discharged from the army.

* He was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines (and seventh president overall) from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash in 1957.

* He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.

Political Career

* He is the District Representative of Iba, Zambales from 1946 - 1951.

* Pres. Roxas appointed him as a special envoy to lobby the immediate passage of Roger's Veterans Bill in the U.S Congress.

* On August 31, 1950, Pres. Elipidio Quirino appointed him as the Secretary of National Defense.

* On November 10, 1953, Ramon Magsaysay was elected as President of the Philippines.

* He was called as "Mambo Magsaysay."

* He led the foundation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, also known as Manila Pact of 1954.

* He made the Malacañáng Palace open to public.

* In his administration, Philippines ranked second in Asia's clean and well-governed countries.

Programs Implemented

• Economy

* Pres. Magsaysay enacted the following laws as part of his Agrarian Reform Program:

1. Republic Act No. 1160 of 1954—Abolished the LASEDECO and established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA)
2. Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954)
3. Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955)
4. Republic Act No. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit Cooperative Financing Administration)
5. Laurel-Langley Agreement
6. Reparations Agreement

• Politics

1. Presidential Complaints and Action Committee
2. HUKBALAHAP
3. SEATO
4. Defense Council
5. President's Action Body