Philippines in the 1940’s

Philippines in the 1940's

Population. – According to a census of January 1939 it was 16,000,303 residents (dens. 54), including 117,000 Chinese and 29,000 Japanese. As of July 31, 1946 it was estimated at 18,846,000 (dens. 63).

Economic statistics. – Rice predominates among the crops (20 million q. In 1946-47); corn (2.55 million quintals in 1946); sugar cane, recovering after damage to plantations (73,752 hectares and 3.7 million q. in 1947-48); the coconut palm of which they are one of the largest producers in the world (665,000 tons of copra in 1946); tobacco (about 157,000 q. in 1947); hemp from Manila (about 900,000 q. in 1947). An evaluation of 1946 shows the decline in the livestock heritage: in thousands of head, there were 2608 buffaloes in 1938 and 1317 in 1946; and respectively cattle, 1722 and 559; pigs 3558 and 1983. Among the products of the subsoil, gold gave kg. 160.3 in 1945; silver, 39,200 kg., but the plants were largely devastated by the Japanese, like those of copper; iron has recently begun to be extracted (1.2 million t. in 1946), whose minerals are exported; there are also deposits of chromite (112,100 tons in 1941; 58,000 tons in 1946) and manganese (near Burgos, near Manila and in the Busuanga and Siquijor islands: 290,000 tons in 1941). The industry mainly processes local products (sugar, coconut oil, rice, tobacco, etc.); traditional that of straw hats, insignificant that of textiles, discreet that of concrete. Communications: 1460 km. of railways. Foreign trade (in million pesos): 951.7 imports and 128.3 exports in 1946. coconut oil, rice, tobacco, etc.); traditional that of straw hats, insignificant that of textiles, discreet that of concrete. Communications: 1460 km. of railways. Foreign trade (in million pesos): 951.7 imports and 128.3 exports in 1946. coconut oil, rice, tobacco, etc.); traditional that of straw hats, insignificant that of textiles, discreet that of concrete. Communications: 1460 km. of railways. Foreign trade (in million pesos): 951.7 imports and 128.3 exports in 1946.

Political order. – On July 4, 1946, the republic of the Philippines was born to an independent life according to the constitution of 1935 amended in 1940. The president, with wide executive and veto powers, remains in office for 4 years. The senate has 24 members, renewable for one third every two years; the House of Representatives 98 members elected by all citizens of both sexes who are 21 years old and who can read and write. On March 14, 1947, the Philippines entered into an agreement with the US which gives them the right to use naval bases for 99 years. From 17 July 1948 the capital was moved to Quezón City (under construction about 16 km. NE of Manila), in the locality (New Manila) chosen in 1937.

S tory. – Following the US law of 1934 and the constitution of 1935, ML Quezón was elected president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines on November 15, 1935, and his opponent, S. Osmeña, vice president, who had to face serious economic problems in addition to those inherent to the creation of ‘an independent and democratic regime.

Philippines in the 1940's