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.

DEFENSE AND COMMUNICATIONS

261 -

Here it is, gentlemen of the Congress, the great job which
the Department of Commerce is proposing to undertake for
the better advantage of the funds which the Legislature appropriates every year for highways, bridges, ports and other improvements for the material development of our country. It
is a vast plan and is full of obstacles. But at the same time
it is a capital point which I wish to make as the angular stone
of the policy of the Department of Commerce and Communications if I am given help and convenient means. This help
must come from all, but specially from our legislators, on
whose shoulders rests the principal responsibility of the great
work of providing the executive departments of our government of those facilities needed for the fulfillment of the mission
which corresponds to them. I shall consider myself exceptionally fortunate if, in leaving my work-when the time
comes for me to do it-I would be able to feel the satisfaction
of believing that I have contributed my grain of sand in the
realization of that great project.
Gentlemen of the Congress: If the realization of our political ambitions is really approaching, if it is true that there
gleams in the horizon rays of hope and that finally the Filipino people would be given the opportunity to live under their
own determination, this is the moment of shaking and strengthening the civic conscience among our citizens. We should
separate when we treat of public questions from party or regional considerations in order to give preference to the common
good. Let us go up so that from there we can have a more
complete and comprehensive perspective of our national necessities and conveniences.
I repeat my gratitude to the organizers of this great convention for the opportunity which they gave me in making me
speak now and directly plan before the country, which you
genuinely and splendidly represent, this question of great
transcendency for a country, which like ours, is preparing to
assume the reins of its own government.