Polo y servicio

Polo y servicio was the forced labor system without compensation imposed upon the local population in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. In concept, it was similar to Repartimiento, a forced labor system used in the Spanish America.

The word polo refers to community work, and the laborer was called polista. The community activities that polistas have to perform may include cutting trees for timber, and building Galleon trade ships, churches, government buildings, roads, and bridges.

Polo y servicio was mandatory for males from 16 to 60 years old, for a 40-day period per year. The laborers could be sent to any community project, and anyone who refused was fined and imprisoned.