Effect of the Railroad in Panay on the General Economic Life of the People by Ismael Colez

The Panay Railway started operation in 1911 connecting Roxas City of Capiz to the port city of Iloilo. Along its route laid vast farm and sugar lands which Ismael Colez assessed if its farmers benefited from the brand new infrastructure. His findings included in the collection of H. Otley Beyer.

Effect of the Railroad in Panay on the General Economic Life of the People by Ismael Colez

There are at present, 117 kilometers of railroad running Capis [Capiz] and Iloilo province. The establishment of this important facility was brought about as a result of topographical and economic investigations made early in 1902 which when reported gave promise to a reliable investment. Soon after the investigations were reported favorably the plan was made the construction of highways was also began, until the whole line now connecting Capis and Iloilo was completed early in 1911. Hence in June 1911, the railroad was first operated on commercial basis and has continues [continued] until the present time.

Prior to this means of transportation, then was hardly any trade carried on between Capiz and Iloilo, which was reciprocally advantageous to either of the two provinces. Likewise there was no much trade as is now carried on among those interior towns through with the train passes. But after the advent of this railroad line, trade between Capiz and Iloilo and among the interior towns and among their neighborhood, began to assume considerable importance. The growth of this trade activity is evidential by the fact that today all towns along the railroads with the exception of Pavia, Abangay, Tabugon and Ventura have developed their markets. The record of the Railway Co. shows that there are considerable amounts of commodities transferred from Capis and interior towns to Iloilo and vice versa. Such commodities are rice, sugar, tobacco, corn, hemp and [unreadable]; occupy the greater amount. Every year the bulk of trade increases in proportion to the development of industries, especially agriculture.

Affected also by the opening of the railroad, several industries have been developed and assumed considerable importance in the occupation of the people. Such industries as the Sinamay of Jaro and the bayones of Capis and hats of Dumarao are employing a considerable number of persons in the task so that today these industries are carried on on a commercial basis. Almost all the bayones now used by both hacienderos of Negros and Panay are made in Capis and transferred through the railroad. Not only this industry received the impetus of rapid development but also such other minor ones such as the pottery and basketry.

But of all the economic resources which have been directly or indirectly benefited by the advent of the railroad to such a great degree, agriculture stands preeminent. Nearly all agricultural industries have been developed several folds. The production of rice, corn, hemp, sugar and tobacco increased and their methods of cultivation and production greatly improved. The farmers are assured of ready, cheap, transportation of their products to markets and unable to take to their farms heavy implements at a low cost of transportation, increase the size of their farms and systematized their methods of cultivation.

Corn, which prior to the establishment of railroad, was extensively cultivated only in Passi and Duenas, is now extensively cultivated systematically in nearly all towns along the mile, especially in Dumarao and in Dao. So that today these two towns produce more than half of all corn output of Capis and Iloilo as represented by the towns along the line. In September 1911, the quality of corn shipped over the railroad was only 16,000 kilos but in September 1912 it amounted to 400,000 kios showing in increase of about 22 fold. In general, however, the following figures furnished by the railroad co. present a conclusive evidence as to the progress of agriculture along the railway. In 1910, the quantity and market value of rice, corn, hemp, and sugar and tobacco, was only 243,986, but in 1915 it amounted to P1,874,825.

Unquestionably the establishment of the Capis-Iloilo Railway stimulated trade, home, and farm industries from those towns near the line. And it is very probable that those towns could be benefited more in the future. In the future, desire of the people to carry on agricultural enterprises in a much large scale, say by erecting sugar central the railway may play an important part not only as an agent of transportation but also an agent of stability of the undertaking by furnishing reduced rate for the transportation of machineries to these places were the centrals are to be located. The railway would enable the farmers to erect centrals at a much lower cost than otherwise; and hereafter, by offering ready means of transportation. The railway would encourage the farmers to increase their production which would reciprocelly benefit each other. Let us hope for an end. Motive with the same expectation. Let us hope that the same or other companies would establish a southern branch of railway reaching Antique if possible for in it we forsee promise of prosperity to both the company, the island, the country, and the world in general.

See also:

Early Railroads of France (1815 - 1848)

Industrial Revolution in Spain

Source:

Colez, Ismael. "Effects of the Railroad in Panay on the General Economic Life of the People." National Library of the Philippines. Accessed on March 1, 2025. URL: https://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph/OB01/NLPOBMN0003008178/bs/home.htm