The Inhabitants of the PhilippinesSawyer, Frederic H.
History
The Inhabitants of the Philippines
Sawyer, Frederic H.
Ethnology -- Philippines; Philippines -- Social life and customs
Amongst the enterprises I have recommended when writing about
the Pampangos, and others engaged in planting sugar-cane, is the
establishment of central sugar factories in suitable localities. Such
undertakings, judiciously administered, would have every prospect
of success.
There is also room for paper-mills, rice-mills, cotton-mills,
and saw-mills, but all these, especially the last, need careful
consideration for the selection of the locality where they are to be
placed. The manufacture of various kinds of leather could be greatly
extended and improved. There is employment for more coasting steamers
and schooners. The latter and hulls of small steamers can be built
in the country from the native timber.
Although the development of means of communication is all-important,
it is evident from the configuration of the Archipelago that no great
length of railway is required, nor would it pay to construct them
in so mountainous a country. Water-carriage is all-important. In
Luzon a line of railway might be made from Manila to Batangas with
a branch into the Laguna province. It would traverse a fertile and
thickly-populated country.
A short line of railway or electric tramway from near Siniloan on
the Lake to the Pacific would be most useful in giving access to and
developing the eastern coast, or contra costa, as it is called. This
coast is very backward in every way, indeed from Baler to Punta
Escarpada on its extreme north, it is quite unknown, and remains in the
possession of the Dumagas, an aboriginal tribe of heathen savages of
low type, just as at the time of the Spanish conquest; and it would be
worth while to study the question of cutting a ship-canal through this
narrow strip of land if the mouth could be protected from the Pacific
surf. There is also Bishop Gainza's project that might be revived, that
of cutting a canal for country craft from Pasacao in Camarines Sur to
the River Vicol. In Negros and Panay some short lines from the ports
through the sugar lands might pay if constructed very economically.
Tramways between populous towns not far apart in Luzon and Panay
would probably pay very well, as the people are fond of visiting
their friends.
It will probably be many years before Mindanao will be in a position
to warrant the construction of railways. The island has relapsed into
barbarism as a consequence of the withdrawal of the Spanish garrisons
and detachments, and of nearly all the Jesuit missionaries.
It could, however, give employment to a flotilla of small steamers
and sailing vessels on its northern and southern coasts.
Such is my opinion in brief upon the possibilities of the development
of industries and commerce.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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