Directory_and_Chronicle_1924 — Page 1559

1460

Agencies

ILOILO-CEBU

Yek Tong Lin Fire and Marine

Insurance and Loan Co., Ld. Yangtze Insurance Association

Tokio Marine and Fire Insce. Co., Ld. Phoenix Assurance Co., Ld.

North China Insurance Co., Ld. Yap-Tico Navigation Co.

YNCHAUSTI Y CIA, Importers, Sugar and

Produce Dealers

Prosper Verstockt, signs per pro.

Antonio M. Ruiz Francisco Lopez Luis Lacambra E. von Kauff-

mann, jr.

Antonio Belzarens Faustino Errea Augusto Garcia Julio Garcia

ZUELLIG, INC., F. E., Merchants (successor to

Lutz & Zuellig)-European Representa tives: A. C. Lutz & Co., Zurich, Switzerland-Tel. Ad: Zuellig

F. E. Zuellig, president O. Schulthess, manager

CEBU

This is the capital of the island of Cebu, and now ranks as the second port of the Philippines. It was at one time the seat of the administration of revenue for the whole of the Visayas, but this was removed to Manila in 1849. For many generations it has been an important centre of Roman Catholie Missionary enterprise, and in this connection it may be mentioned that the present Seminary and College of San Carlos was founded by the Jesuits in 1595 as the College of San Ildefonso. The Redemptorist Fathers have a mission at Opon, across the Straits. Cebu is a well-built town and possesses fine roads. The trade of Cebu consists principally of hemp, sugar, copra, maguey and, latterly, coconut oil. The neighbouring islands of Leyte, Mindanao, and Camiguin possess extensive hemp plantations, a large proportion of the produce of which finds its way to Cebu for shipment. There are some very valuable and exten- sive coal deposits in the island of Cebu, but only a few mines are being worked. The present total output is about 1,500 tons a month, which at present value amounts to about P.350,000 per annum. In 1922 the Naga Cement Works, situated about 20 miles from Cebu, were completed and they now produce cement. They have a capacity of 1,000 barrels a day, which is more than enough to supply the Philippine Islands.

Cebu continues to grow in importance as a trade centre. New wharves have been completed and another one is under construction, and vessels drawing up to 25 feet can load alongside with perfect safety. There are suitable berths for three ocean-going vessels at one time and a fourth could be acconimodated if the draft were not over 20 feet. The annual total production of hemp in the Cebu district is between 45,000 and 55,000 tons. The sugar industry has suffered severely in recent years by drought, but with the revised U.S. tariff and recent high prices a new impetus was given to planters, and many abandoned estates were worked again with success. The production of copra is increasing yearly and is likely to continue doing so for some years to come. The principal oil-inill, which has been shut down for some time, will shortly recommence operations. Large quantities of copra are exported; previously, the local oil-mills bought up practically all available supplies. The town possesses a fine reinforced concrete Customs House, and eoncrete godowns line the wharf. Indeed, the major portion of the business district is now built of conerete. Work is proceed- ing slowly with the new reclamation scheme, which will add a large area of reclaimed land to the water-front for warehouses.

I

!