Proceedings of the first Independence congress : held in the city of Manila, Philippine islands, February 22-26, 1930 / Published under the direction of Dean maximo M. Kalaw, executive secretary, University of the Philippines.

POLITICAL SECTION

113

provinces and municipalities, after the payment of administrative expenses, have been and are being devoted to this purpose.
First-class roads and trails are now winding their way through
every region. Over those highways motor transportation is
developing to an enormous extent. Concrete and steel bridges
have multiplied in number.
The sanitary condition of the provinces and municipalities
has improved considerably and provincial hospitals and dispensaries are increasing in number. To provide adequate hospital
facilities within the reach of the population of each province,
the Philippine Legislature several years ago enacted a law appropriating the sum of one million pesos and is disposed to
approve more appropriation for this purpose.
Throughout the Islands, there are Women's Clubs and other
similar organizations campaigning vigorously for more healthful surroundings and for reduction of infant mortality. Trained
nurses are now employed by provinces and municipalities to
do intensive practical work, as by examining pupils in schools
and visiting them in their homes. From the year 1904, when
the first artesian well was bored, until the close of the year
1929, a total of 2,117 artesian wells have been drilled; and
these have been supplying excellent water tb the inhabitants.
Twenty years ago, Manila was the only city in the Islands
that could boast of modern waterworks and electric light
systems. At the close of 1929, one hundred and ninety-six
systems were completed in other municipalities and many more
projects have been begun and are now under construction. Up
to the end of 1926, electric light plants had been installed in
80 municipalities, and applications to operate more plants are
steadily increasing in number. Within the last ten years,
1,608 public buildings of the most enduring type were erected,
including schools, municipal markets, hospitals, provincial
capitols, and jails.
Schoolhouses are found everywhere. They stand as the most
enduring monuments of Filipino love for education and of
America's altruistic policy in these Islands. As a rule, the
financial resources of the provinces and municipalities have
permitted them to carry on the construction and repair of
schoolbuildings; but when there is a dearth of funds, the people