Chapter 12
The Commonwealth Period
1930-1940
United States has been reluctant to give Philippines a sovereinty . As early as 1919 , Manuel L. Quezon , as senate President from 1916 went to US Congress to lobby for Independence . After 10 long years , something happened , on October 29, 1929 , US stock Market had crashed , subsequently , every cities around the world necessarily follows , from Great Britain , to France and Germany. The demand of goods decreased , agricultural production dwindled , widespread fall of profits , followed by bank failures and bancruptsy , production on manufacturing collapsed , millions upon millioms were laid-off , personal income sank deeply. Desperate citizens were hopeless , Germans propelling Adolf Hitler to power , there were Soup Kitchens in America to feed the hungry , while Great Depression did not strongly affect Japan.
" As you know, the Filipinos would like to be independent. But it would be stupid of the USA to fulfill this wish, because they are as yet absolutely incapable of governing themselves. They have some freedom in internal affairs. Many Filipinos are employed in the administration, and they have their own Parliament. But they still need the guiding hand of a civilized people "
(Albert Irminger Letter 1919) |
Iloilo Sugar Saved The Day
For second time around , it was mainly Iloilo strong Sugar Industry and Labor Unions had a stake in loosesing the United States ties to the Philippines since they could not compete with the Philippine cheap sugar (and other commodities) which could freely exported to the U.S. Market. Therefore, they agitated in favor of granting independence to the Philippines so that its cheap products and labor could be shut out of the United StatesIn 1934, America approved the Philippine independence law known as the Tydings–McDuffie Act. It was crafted to prepare the Philippines for its eventual independence after a ten-year period. The Tydings–McDuffie Act also enabled them to draft and adopt constitution, subject to the concurrence of the U.S. President.
In accordance to the Tydings-McDuffie Law, election of delegates to the 1934 Constitutional Convention was held on July 10, 1934. Philippine now have own Constitution and can elect first President of the Philippines adopted the legislative system to have a unicameral National Assembly instead of previous set-up with bicameral ( with a Senate). After the 1935 Constitution was ratified, elections were held on September 17, 1935. The Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated on November 15, 1935 . Manuel Quezon won as President.
Iloilo Representatives in Philippine 1st National Assembly (November 25- December 21, 1935)
1st - Jose C. Zulueta
2nd - Ruperto Montinola
3rd - Tomas Confesor
4th - Tomas Buenaflor
5th - Victoriano M. Salcedo
Commonwealth Act number 1 or National Defense Act of 1935 was passed which founded Philippine Army . The act divided the Commonwealth of the Philippines into ten military districts. Creation of Budget Commision by virture of Commonwealth Act number 1 . General Appropriations Act of 1936 , or Commonwealth Act 246 - congress should appropriate and approved budget of government agencies. Commonwealth Act No. 186 passed on November 14, 1936 the creation of the Government Insurance Service System (GSIS).
Change of title - Municipal President to Municipal Mayor
Because in 1935 constitution, Philippine have President , the title Municipal President and City President was changed into Municipal Mayor and City Mayor respective to avoid confusion . Iloilo City Mayor were appointed by the President of the Philippines, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the Congress of Philippines.
For second time around , it was mainly Iloilo strong Sugar Industry and Labor Unions had a stake in loosesing the United States ties to the Philippines since they could not compete with the Philippine cheap sugar (and other commodities) which could freely exported to the U.S. Market. Therefore, they agitated in favor of granting independence to the Philippines so that its cheap products and labor could be shut out of the United StatesIn 1934, America approved the Philippine independence law known as the Tydings–McDuffie Act. It was crafted to prepare the Philippines for its eventual independence after a ten-year period. The Tydings–McDuffie Act also enabled them to draft and adopt constitution, subject to the concurrence of the U.S. President.
In accordance to the Tydings-McDuffie Law, election of delegates to the 1934 Constitutional Convention was held on July 10, 1934. Philippine now have own Constitution and can elect first President of the Philippines adopted the legislative system to have a unicameral National Assembly instead of previous set-up with bicameral ( with a Senate). After the 1935 Constitution was ratified, elections were held on September 17, 1935. The Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated on November 15, 1935 . Manuel Quezon won as President.
Iloilo Representatives in Philippine 1st National Assembly (November 25- December 21, 1935)
1st - Jose C. Zulueta
2nd - Ruperto Montinola
3rd - Tomas Confesor
4th - Tomas Buenaflor
5th - Victoriano M. Salcedo
Commonwealth Act number 1 or National Defense Act of 1935 was passed which founded Philippine Army . The act divided the Commonwealth of the Philippines into ten military districts. Creation of Budget Commision by virture of Commonwealth Act number 1 . General Appropriations Act of 1936 , or Commonwealth Act 246 - congress should appropriate and approved budget of government agencies. Commonwealth Act No. 186 passed on November 14, 1936 the creation of the Government Insurance Service System (GSIS).
Change of title - Municipal President to Municipal Mayor
Because in 1935 constitution, Philippine have President , the title Municipal President and City President was changed into Municipal Mayor and City Mayor respective to avoid confusion . Iloilo City Mayor were appointed by the President of the Philippines, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the Congress of Philippines.
Iloilo Mission Hospital
By 1920, the hospital expanded to a seventy beds. By this time the School of Nursing was registered with the government. In 1924, the American Baptists were given full charge of the hospital and it was renamed the Iloilo Mission
Hospital. More space was needed and land was purchased in the Jaro District and with the help of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society and the local community the new building was completed in 1931.
(Source: 1937 Panay Directory and Souvenir Book)
By 1920, the hospital expanded to a seventy beds. By this time the School of Nursing was registered with the government. In 1924, the American Baptists were given full charge of the hospital and it was renamed the Iloilo Mission
Hospital. More space was needed and land was purchased in the Jaro District and with the help of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society and the local community the new building was completed in 1931.
(Source: 1937 Panay Directory and Souvenir Book)
The First Airline Company in ASIA - in Iloilo
Due to Economic Depression that swept the countries around the world . Iloilo port was loosing 76% of Negros Sugar exports. Sugar barons of Iloilo were affected . One of them was Eugenio Lopez Sr . Considering that a number of Ilongos were frequently going to Manila and Bacolod , He planned to invest in Commercial Aviation . A Unit of planes were bought in America . and in February 1, 1933 , INAEC, launched its historical first flight using Stinson Tri-Motor, a 10-passenger capacity that flew from Iloilo to Manila with US Air Force Major Henry Meider as first pilot ( Below) . It was the First Airline Company in Asia, predating PAL, JAL and Singapore .
Airlines Regular air services between Manila, Bacolod Iloilo and Cebu started within a year, and then expanded to Zambonga and Davao in another two years. INAEC with its three-engine aircrafts advertised its air travels as“fast, commodious, elegant and reliant” compared with the other services.
Despite the great depression in the US and Europe, aviation in the philippines still boomed at that time with 60 airfields scattered all over the country, four of which is in Manila. Inaec then used Grace Park (airfields were then called “parks”) located near the Bonifacio Monument. Four year operation was very profitable so in 1937, INAEC purchased its own seaplane, a Sikorsky S-43 amphibian worth 260,000 the most modern aircraft at that time and which carried 1 passengers. INAEC introduced steward service which was the first in the Philippines
Airlines Regular air services between Manila, Bacolod Iloilo and Cebu started within a year, and then expanded to Zambonga and Davao in another two years. INAEC with its three-engine aircrafts advertised its air travels as“fast, commodious, elegant and reliant” compared with the other services.
Despite the great depression in the US and Europe, aviation in the philippines still boomed at that time with 60 airfields scattered all over the country, four of which is in Manila. Inaec then used Grace Park (airfields were then called “parks”) located near the Bonifacio Monument. Four year operation was very profitable so in 1937, INAEC purchased its own seaplane, a Sikorsky S-43 amphibian worth 260,000 the most modern aircraft at that time and which carried 1 passengers. INAEC introduced steward service which was the first in the Philippines
1935 - Steel Bridge in Guimbal
Guimbal bridge, reputed to be the longest in Panay at that time and even up to the present was constructed. The steel were imported from Virginia USA. Tigbauan concrete bridge, Halawud (Jalaur) bridge, Tiolas River bridge, Tigum River bridge, and the Miag-ao River bridge. Thus, by 1935, Iloilo Province maintained a total of 404.8 kms. of first class and 111 kms of
second and third class roads. Of these, 36.5 kms were asphalt-paved and 2 kms. were concrete-paved.
Guimbal bridge, reputed to be the longest in Panay at that time and even up to the present was constructed. The steel were imported from Virginia USA. Tigbauan concrete bridge, Halawud (Jalaur) bridge, Tiolas River bridge, Tigum River bridge, and the Miag-ao River bridge. Thus, by 1935, Iloilo Province maintained a total of 404.8 kms. of first class and 111 kms of
second and third class roads. Of these, 36.5 kms were asphalt-paved and 2 kms. were concrete-paved.
1933-1935 - Construction of Presidencia De Iloilo
It was designed by the Filipino architect, Juan Arellano. The lot donated by Ilonggo philanthropist, Doña Juliana Melliza.The building is one-level structure with neat rows of arched windows . The main entrance dividing the horizontal plane in two equal parts is flanked on either side by austere-looking composite pilasters and projected the arches of the windows. Its roof is also capped with an interesting cupola or dome. Façade more grandiose and imposing by employing the artistic acumen of his Italian friend. Francesco Riccardo Monti, expert on funerary art: he sculpted two bronze male statues on opposite sides of the entrance depicting abstract concepts of Roman Law and Order and a bas-relief of four figures above the arched opening.
Despite its composite neo-classic elements outside, Art Deco and even nativist elements predominate the interior. It has two big patios and a wide court that serves as entrance foyer. The emphasis on compactness and the dominance of its environs are highlighted in outside lines while space, ventilation, and lighting are given importance in the interior layout. Neo-classic elements are present in the entire building: uniformly arched windows, composite columns, high ceilings and dome . Tropical features
reflective of the Filipino bahay na bato are also observable: wide sliding main windows, ventanillas, and raised wooden floors.
The building’s centerpiece consists of the Court Room and the Session Hall (also known as Lozano Hall), which was named in honor of Cresenciano Lozano, a lawmaker from Guimaras who authored House Bill 2368, which became RA 365, granting Iloilo the status of a chartered city in 1937. The building construction was completed on February 4, 1935.
Amid much fanfare and celebration coinciding with the Christmas season, the building, also known as the presidencia, was formally inaugurated with much grandeur, attended by no less than foreign consuls and representatives, on December 19, 1936.
The Philippine 1st National Assembly passed the Commonwealth Act No.158 converting town of Iloilo on July 16, 1937 as a chartered city of Iloilo Province . Inauguration was held on August 25, 1937 after the municipalities of La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo
and Arevalo were merged . Ramon Campos, the first mayor of the chartered city of Iloilo occupied the building in 1937.
Despite its composite neo-classic elements outside, Art Deco and even nativist elements predominate the interior. It has two big patios and a wide court that serves as entrance foyer. The emphasis on compactness and the dominance of its environs are highlighted in outside lines while space, ventilation, and lighting are given importance in the interior layout. Neo-classic elements are present in the entire building: uniformly arched windows, composite columns, high ceilings and dome . Tropical features
reflective of the Filipino bahay na bato are also observable: wide sliding main windows, ventanillas, and raised wooden floors.
The building’s centerpiece consists of the Court Room and the Session Hall (also known as Lozano Hall), which was named in honor of Cresenciano Lozano, a lawmaker from Guimaras who authored House Bill 2368, which became RA 365, granting Iloilo the status of a chartered city in 1937. The building construction was completed on February 4, 1935.
Amid much fanfare and celebration coinciding with the Christmas season, the building, also known as the presidencia, was formally inaugurated with much grandeur, attended by no less than foreign consuls and representatives, on December 19, 1936.
The Philippine 1st National Assembly passed the Commonwealth Act No.158 converting town of Iloilo on July 16, 1937 as a chartered city of Iloilo Province . Inauguration was held on August 25, 1937 after the municipalities of La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo
and Arevalo were merged . Ramon Campos, the first mayor of the chartered city of Iloilo occupied the building in 1937.
(Iloilo Customs House, 1930. Photo by Marshall E. Fields)
Leganes became a full pledge town through the efforts of the late Congressman
Tomas Confesor, then Governor of Iloilo Province. Leganes was created a
Municipality pursuant to Executive Order No. 241 of then Commonwealth President
Manuel Luis Quezon on January 1, 1940
Tomas Confesor, then Governor of Iloilo Province. Leganes was created a
Municipality pursuant to Executive Order No. 241 of then Commonwealth President
Manuel Luis Quezon on January 1, 1940
A good peaceful life.
It has been the situation in
Iloilo during American Era.
Out of knowledge of most people
, Japan has been taking steps to widen its influence and territory.
After it signed Pact with Germany , Italy.
Japan seized countries of South Pacific.
The next chapeter is one of the ugliest times of Iloilo . People are in intense terror , woman weep , childrens are crying and men are either promted to fight for their life and freedom.
Warning : Under Construction
It has been the situation in
Iloilo during American Era.
Out of knowledge of most people
, Japan has been taking steps to widen its influence and territory.
After it signed Pact with Germany , Italy.
Japan seized countries of South Pacific.
The next chapeter is one of the ugliest times of Iloilo . People are in intense terror , woman weep , childrens are crying and men are either promted to fight for their life and freedom.
Warning : Under Construction