THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA
BUREAU OF COAST & GEODETIC SURVEY
Director of Coast Surveys-Commander
R. R. Lukens
Asst. Director of Coast Surveys-Antonio
¡G. Perez
BUREAU OF COMMERCE
(101, Echague, Manila; P.O. Box 1481; Cable Ad: Bucom)
Director of Commerce-Cornelio Balma-.
ceda
Administrative Division,
Chief-Simeon Matulak. Recio
Asst. Chief-Rafael; Jose.
Commercial Division
Chief Cleto C. Mastrili
Asst; Chief-Pedro R. Romero'
Industrial Division
Chief-Valeriano K. Luz Asst. Chief-Delfin R. Campos
Markets Division
Chief-Bonifacio Quiaoit Asst. Chief-Luciano Salanga
Trade Promotion Division Chief-Dionisio Reyes, Asst. Chief Miguel G. Luna
Foreign Trade Division Chief Saturnino R. Mendinuete Asst. Chief-Filomeno Sta. Ana
Trade Regulation Division Chief-Celedonio Agrava
SUPREME COURT
D13
(Ayuntamiento Building, Plaza McKinley, Manila, Philippines)
MANILA
Manila, the capital and the largest city of the Philippines, is situated on the western side of the island of Luzon, at the mouth of the Pasig River, which practically divides it into two parts and empties into Manila Bay. The city is almost in the centre of the archipelago. It is distant two days by sea from Hongkong, four days from Nagasaki, five from Shanghai, and 17 to 28 days from San Francisco or Seattle, according to the varying speed of the different vessels on the run.
The city of Manila was founded by Legaspi on June 24th, 1571. The erection of the fortifications around the present Walled City (Intramuros) was begun about 1590. In 1645, 1863 and 1880 the city suffered considerable damage from earthquakes. The first newspaper was published in Manila in 1811. The port, was opened to the commerce of the world in 1834, and the railroad line to Dagupan was completed in 1891. War having been declared between the United States and Spain, the fleet of the former on May 1st, 1898, sailed into Manila Bay and totally destroyed the Spanish fleet, practically with no loss to the attacking side. Thereafter Manila was blockaded until August 13th, when, a military force having arrived, the Americans took possession of the city.
Manila is the leading centre of foreign and domestic commerce as well as the principal port of the Country. The Bulk of the imports and the exports of the country passes through this port. Foreign corporations engaged in business in the Philippines. have their main offices and storehouses in Manila, whence branches are establislied in other local trade centres.
The harbour of Manila is almost landlocked, and its deep anchorage basin is protected by a semi-circular stone break water. Four piers with modern cargo- handling equipment project into the harbour. The first is reserved for the use of the United States Army. The second, 600 feet long, is capable of stowing about 5,000 tons net. The third, which is 650 feet in length, has a stowing capacity of about 9,000- tons. The fourth pier has about four times the cargo capacity of the third and a berthing capacity sufficient to accommodate four of the largest type of ships at one time.
The mouth of the Pasig River is used as anchorage space for steamers and sailing vessels engaged in inter-island commerce. Here can be seen launches moving in and out, towing cascos loaded with cargoes from steamers in the bay or from the warehouses on the banks of the river. The esteros or estuaries provide additional transportation channels to different parts of the city.