The "Great Reduction" refers to a significant historical event in the early 17th century when the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines implemented a policy to consolidate scattered indigenous communities into larger, more centralized settlements. This was aimed at improving governance, tax collection, and missionary efforts by the Spanish authorities. As a result, many small villages were merged into larger towns, which often disrupted traditional ways of life. The policy also aimed to facilitate the spread of Christianity among the indigenous population, as it allowed missionaries to focus their efforts on fewer, more concentrated communities.