Note 27 — V. The Nineteenth Century and Economic Development

And since the opening of the ports, a great many people, especially mestizos, who before traded in manufactured goods purchased in Manila, abandoned their business, and, unable to compete with the Chinese dealers, had betaken themselves to the raising of sugar, and other products to the great benefit of the country.27 And, thus, the greater exploitation of natural resources gave rise to the demand for better means of communication,28 and other material improvements.