Prieto was president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines when this photo was taken. Mauro Prieto made possible the rapid progress of agriculture in the Philippines. He improved local conditions by sponsoring various studies, experiments and projects. He organized the yearly agricultural Congress which became an integral part of the life of many agriculturists from all over the country. He was the president of the Congresses held in 1917 and 1918. He belonged to the illustrious Antonio Prieto family of Manila and Bicolandia. He was born on May 3, 1872 and took up the commerce course at the Ateneo in Manila. He was married to Consuelo Legarda by whom he had four children. He was 60 at the time of his death on June 18, 1932. Following his travels in Europe, Prieto initiated the establishment of an agricultural bank in the Philippines with French capital. He also stressed the desirability of foreign investments in the development of the vast and rich natural resources of the Philippines. Prieto likewise experimented on rice, coconut and cassava production in Camarines Sur. He started the manufacture of cassava starch in 1928 and sent his eldest son, Antonio, to study the technique of production in Java. He acquired the necessary machinery in France and operated the first cassava starch factory in the country. He brought the first Caterpillar tractor to the Philippines and used it on his sugarcane plantation in Calamba, Laguna. He also introduced the production of carps in the big lake of Suasig in Camarines Sur. Besides his agricultural pursuits, Prieto engaged in business. He became the general manager of the Germinal Cigar and Cigarette Factory in Manila and the president of the Santa Ana Oil Mills. He was also a leading member of the Manila Jockey Club,