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.

70 INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

become independent. It is, therefore, of capital importance
that there be planned a definite policy of economic nationalism
which would embrace all the phases of production and distribution. This tendency has been observed in the past sessions
of the Legislature but there has been approved measures without systems due to the lack of relation to an economic nationalism. We should orientate in this respect, in order that
nationalistic measures may be generalized and that retrogression
which means disnationalization of already nationalized industries and business may be prevented.
It is imperative that we do so, because when the Philippines
becomes independent, we cannot withdraw from the wave of
internationalism in which we find ourselves enveloped as citizens
of a sovereign Nation. It is useless for us to fling ourselves
out on the immense sea of the concert of free nations if we do
not guarantee our nationalism, resolving to compel nationalistic
measures which promote the material advancement of the Philippines so that we may be adequately dressed with the necessary clothings for the external economic fight.
'rWe should have a fixed norm with respect to the policies of
protectionism. The end is to be sufficient unto ourselves to
the greatest possible extent with regard to the fostering of
various industries which because of abundance of prime material may be developed here, without neglecting those already
existing. The development of our national resources and
manufactures should be urged upon with protective measures
which assure and foster their development without obstacle,
free from all competition which may come from productive
and manufacturing centers more advanced than ours.
Following the history of economic development of other
new countries there should be a frank adhesion to the paternalistic policies of the future Philippine independent government. Sometime ago the Philippines ceased to be a mere
geographic expression with regards to economic development.
Our commercial relations with other countries has been increasing in volume and although we have to recognize that the
progress has been slow, much has been accomplished, thanks to
the paternalistic policies which have been initiated by our