Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de León | |
|---|---|
| 56thGovernor-General of the Philippines | |
| In office 1 September 1793 – 7 August 1806 | |
| Monarch | Charles IV of Spain |
| Governor | (Viceroy of New Spain) Juan Vicente de Güemes, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo Miguel de la Grúa Talamanca, 1st Marquess of Branciforte Miguel José de Azanza, 1st Duke of Santa Fe Félix Berenguer de Marquina José de Iturrigaray |
| Preceded by | Félix Berenguer de Marquina |
| Succeeded by | Mariano Fernández de Folgueras |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1714-07-10)July 10, 1714 Écija,Kingdom of Spain |
| Died | August 8, 1806(1806-08-08) (aged 92) Manila,Captaincy General of the Philippines, Spanish Empire |
| Awards | Order of Alcántara |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de León was aSpanish military officer who served as the 56thGovernor-General of the Philippines (Spanish:Gobernador Géneral) and was the longest serving governor in theSpanish Philippines.
There is not much known about the early life and career of Aguilar. Prior to his appointment asGovernor-General of the Philippines, the first of only two gubernatorial appointments in the Philippines made by KingCharles IV of Spain, he served as a military officer and agentleman of the bedchamber. His military service earned him theOrder of Alcántara. He arrived in the Philippines on 28 August 1793 and assumed office on 1 September.[1] His administration was driven by the reforms initiated by theEnlightenment in Spain, which has become the distinguishing aspect of his long service as governor. Aguilar was the longest servingSpanish Governor-General of the Philippines (12 years, 11 months).[2]
One of the key accomplishments of Aguilar's administration was setting up the defense of the archipelago. Fortifications were reinforced inCavite. In 1794, ashipyard was constructed atBinondo inManila and anaval base built atCorregidor.[3] These were set up in order to make boats for military campaigns against theMoros.[1] In 1796, two regiments of professional native troops were formed, the first time the native contingent of the colonial armed forces was professionalized. These regiments were namedGranaderos de Luzon (Luzon Grenadiers) andGranaderos de Batangas (BatangasGrenadiers). In addition to this, five battalions ofmilitia were organized. In 1800, the Naval Command was formed in order to check foreign vessels entering the archipelago. Six years later, a force of 300 marinegrenadiers were organized.[2]
Aguilar was able to effectively advocate the opening of Manila to foreign trade, a proposal that had been attempted by his predecessors,Félix Berenguer de Marquina (1788–1793) andJosé Basco y Vargas (1778–1787).[4] However, it would only be by the royal decree of September 6, 1834 when theSociedad Económica de los Amigos del País (Economic Societies of Friends of the Country) was abolished and Manila was completely opened to international trade.[5] He was also able to reprint and disseminate formerGovernor-GeneralJosé Antonio Raón y Gutiérrez's revised version of the "Ordinances of Good Government", a document first drafted byPedro Manuel de Arandía Santisteban.[6] Meanwhile, in 1804, he proposed the modernization ofManila. This had been done by massive public works projects, creation of cultural institutions, and the illumination of Manila streets.[2] It was also during the administration of Aguilar that theBalmis Expedition (1803–1806) arrived in the Philippines. The expedition, led by DoctorFrancisco Javier de Balmis, aimed to vaccinate people againstsmallpox, and the Philippines was included in the number of destinations of the mission.[7] Aguilar died on 8 August 1806, one day after being succeeded byMariano Fernández de Folgueras.[1]
| Preceded by | Governor General of the Philippines 1793–1806 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
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