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

REPORT OF THE INSULAR COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS. 685
a customs base in that part of the archipelago remote from any other entry
port, and provides means for direct communication and legitimate commerce
with the Celebes Islands but a short distance to the south. While it is not
expected that the volume of business at this port will be large at first, the prospects, based upon the known agricultural resources and possibilities of the
surrounding country, indicate that it will steadily increase and eventually
attain considerable importance.
The trade returns from the several municipalities in the district, covering
the fiscal year 1908, show that merchandise valued at $408,140.27 was received
for consumption, and that produce was shipped to the value of $460,520.94,
resulting in a balance in favor of the district of $52,380.67. Some of the
principal products shipped from the district during the fiscal year 1908 were
as follows:
Tons.
Hemp fiber —_________________________________________ 1, 727
Almaciga____ _ _ --- —---------------- ____ ___ ___ _______ 501
Biao _-_______________ —_ ______ __________ 192
Copra -----------------— _____________________ 36
Beeswax -------— _________ --- — 3
During the fiscal year just closed new capital to the extent of $181,887.24
has been invested in commercial and agricultural enterprises, and it is anticipated that the establishment of direct intercourse with foreign markets, by
opening the port, will act as a further stimulus to the already advanced development of the district.
GENERAL COASTWISE TRADE.
During 1908, 8,572 entrances and 8,568 clearances of vessels licensed to engage
in the coastwise trade between ports of the Philippine Islands were effected, an
increase of 609 entrances and 522 clearances over the corresponding numbers
of the previous year, indicating an increased activity in the interisland commerce. These entrances and clearances represent a total tonnage movement of
1,952,909 tons, against 1,794,104 during 1907, showing an increase of 158,805.
On June 30, 1908, there were 164 steam vessels, 386 sailing vessels, and 53
lighters and other craft of over 15 tons burden operating in the general coastwise trade, representing an aggregate of 49,618 registered tons, as shown below:
Steam. Sail. Lighters, etc. Total.
Port of registry.
Num- Registered Num- Registered Num- Registered Num- Registered
her. tonnage. ber. tonnage. ber. tonnage. ber. tonnage.
Manila............... 121 22,935.32 175 10,094.27 50 5,235.56 346 38,265.15
Iloilo.................... 16 525.48 126 5,324.52 1 60.83 143 5,910.83
Cebu.................. 23 1,390.81 80 3,390.74 2 54.56 105 4,836.11
Zamboanga.............. 3 242.68 4 321.10................... 7 563.78
Jolo..................... 1 26.58..................................... 1 26.58
Balabac................................... 1 15.65................. 1 15.65
Total............ 164 25,120.87 386 19,146.28 53 5,350.95 603 49,618.10

HARBOR VESSELS.
In addition to the above vessels licensed to engage in the interisland trade,
there is a number of craft to which documents have been issued permitting
them to ply in the districts of Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu, their operations being
confined, under the provisions of Act No. 1136 of the Philippine Commission, as
amplified by Act No. 1387, to the limits of the respective ports at which their
licenses were issued. Of these craft, there are at the port of Manila 84 steam
vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 1,612.62 registered tons, and 423 lighters
and cascoes, representing 22,497.78 registered tons. At the port of Iloilo 3 of
these craft, and at Cebu 31, with tonnage aggregating 60.89 and 956.69, respectively, are documented and authorized to engage in the local harbor and