Report of the governor general of the Philippine Islands. [1908]

244 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
mals over 2 years old, and the income therefrom approximates P2,400 per
InIlnuml.
No solution has yet presented itself of the problem as to the ultimate disposal of this property. It therefore remains a losing investment to the government to the extent of the interest charges of practically P24,000 per annum.
If the law limiting corporations to the ownership of not more than 1,024
hectares of agricultural land is ever amended, there may be a possibility of a
sale of this estate; otherwise, the only solution would be its colonization, and
until the other estates are placed upon a paying basis it would appear inadvisable to attempt colonization.
San Marcos.-This estate was sold during the year to the occupant thereof,
according to the provisions of the friar lands act and its amendment, at a
value of 14,140.14. The purchaser made immediate payment of the first
annual installment, with interest. It is therefore believed that this property
is finally disposed of and that the purchaser will be able to pay for the estate
as the installments become due.
Santa Cruz de Malabon.-While the field work of the surveys on this estate
has been completed, it has been impossible to obtain even the planimeter areas
of the parcels thereof. The present leases in force are therefore based upon
the declarations of the tenants. The present leases, however, will expire in the
early part of the coming year, when the planimeter areas will be ready for use,
and it is believed a large increase in the area and annual contracted rentals
will be obtained.
The receipts, while slightly in excess of those of the previous year, are far
below the amount necessary to cover the interest and administrative charges.
All the irrigated rice land is under cultivation and leased. Some repairs
have been made to the irrigation system, but no new work has been undertaken.
More than a year must elapse before this estate is ready for sale, and meanwhile the releasing will be begun and an attempt made to lease the unoccupied
sugar lands on the southern end of the estate.
Santa Maria de Pandi.-This estate was the last on which the field work of
surveying was completed, and the planimeter areas are not as yet available for
releasing purposes. Reports of the agents show that practically 90 per cent
of this estate is occupied. This being the case, and only 40 per cent leased, it
may be anticipated that during the coming year both the area leased and the
annual contracted rentals will double. It is thickly populated, and there would
appear no reason why during the coming year the income should not equal
the expenses, including interest and administration.
A large amount of work on the irrigation system has been done by this
bureau. This system is merely one for conserving the water in reservoirs, as
there is no running water available. A special report on irrigation on this
estate is included under the subject of "Irrigation."
Conditions at the present time are far more satisfactory than at the date
of the last annual report.
It will be approximately a year before the parcel areas will have been computed and the estate may be offered for sale.
Santa Rosa.-The Santa Rosa estate shows a condition less favorable than
at the close of the last fiscal year in the area leased, contracted rentals, and
collections. This is due to several causes, mainly the fact that large areas have
been held by former occupants with the hope that they might at some future
time cultivate the land. They have failed to pay the rent or to increase the
area under cultivation, and some have been compelled to abandon their holdings.
The computations on the parcel areas have been practically completed, and
the estate has been classified for sale, and probably will be sold about the first
of the next calendar year. Meanwhile new leases will be executed, based upon
the actual areas, when it is believed that the actual area leased and the contracted rentals will be materially increased.
The area under cultivation has been increased during the year by about
10 per cent, principally on the sugar lands. This has been due to two causes:
First, to the fact that the bureau of agriculture furnished and operated a steam
plow upon this estate, which is mentioned under a separate heading; and,
second, to the fact that several tenants have availed themselves of the provisions of the friar lands loan fund. One difficulty has been the fact that the
tenants, recognizing the value of this land, have attempted to monopolize all
the vacant tracts possible, with the hope that in the future some great benefit
would inure thereby through their having secured the preference rights.
During the coming year this matter will all be rectified, with a view to obtain