September 29, 1855: ports of Sual, Iloilo, Zamboanga opened to foreign commerce

On September 29, 1855, the ports of Sual in Pangasinan, Iloilo and Zamboanga were opened to foreign commerce by Royal Order upon request of the government of the Philippines. The port of Cebu opened by Royal Decree of July 30, 1860, which up to that time was obliged to send her products for exportation to Manila.

Prior to the opening of these ports there were difficulties in connection with the exportation of products from the places far from Manila. The products of the Ilocano provinces, southern Luzon, and the Visayas, and even Mindanao, had all to be taken to Manila, and from there, exported. Thus, the system entailed unnecessary risks, waste of time, and extra expense.