Formation of a Sugar Region in the Late 19th Century Negros, Philippines

Abstract

This paper attempts to depict the formation of a sugar-producing region in Negros, emphasizing the significance of grasping the structual change of a regional economy in the islands of Panay and Negros and of exploring its key elements. Chapter I discusses the trade structure (local and foreign) of Panay and Negros; chapter II analizes the immigration pattern from Panay to Negros (both of the upper and lower class levels) and chapter III outlines the formation of a sugar-producing region in Negros, focusing on the rise of haciendas (landed estates) and the emergence of wage laborers. Major findings are summarized as follows.(1) After the opening of the Iloilo port, foreign trade began to play a dominant role in changing the regional economy in Panay and Negros. The major export product was sugar produced in Negros, while import products were mostly British textiles.(2) Chinese mestizos composed a large group of hacenderos in Negros, who were formerly textile merchants in Iloilo province. They took haciendas by landgrabbing and later began to acquire private landownership.(3) Hacienda-labor consisted of resident or migrant laborers and share tenants. Most of them were immigrants from neighbouring islands such as Panay and Cebu.In conclusion, by the end of the 19th century three provinces of Panay and the western part of Negros had already composed an hacienda society, where the sugar export industry played a vital role for its economy.