Official Gazette for April 8, 1970: PRESIDENT MARCOS arrived early in the afternoon after five days in the provinces, where he conferred with officials and assessed for himself conditions there. His focus Was Mindanao, where he officiated at public functions, inaugurated two irrigation systems, and addressed rallies. The President inaugurated four infrastructure projects, namely: the Salug Irrigation System in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur; the concrete airport in Surigao, Surigao del Norte; another concrete airport and a concrete wharf at Cagayan de Oro City.
The Chief Executive also visited the PANAMIN settlement at Sitio Kematu, Surralah, where there is reportedly a peace and order problem, and released 5,000 hectares of the public domain to the T’boli, Ubos and Bilaan settlers. He officiated at the closing ceremonies of the 16th PRISAA meet in Ozamis City, and formally opened the PSIAA ’70 meet in Surigao del Norte.
Cutting short his trip, the President, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, rushed back to Manila following the strong quake which damaged a number of buildings, took 14 lives, and toppled an annex of the P. Guevarra Elementary School in Binondo, which was completed only this year. From Nichols Air Base, the President and the First Lady drove straight to the sprawled elementary school where rescue workers-were hard at work trying to reach, the classrooms buried under the rubble.
The President spent some 45 minutes at the site, peering into the debris, examining the parts of the building, talking with the rescue workers, and getting a full briefing from officials overseeing the rescue work. He authorized school officials to use the nearby Namarco building as a school site pending a thorough inspection of the P. Guevarra school buildings.The President thanked all those who assisted in emergency operations to rescue possible victims of yesterday’s earthquakes.
“The work they have done and the spirit they have demonstrated speak so much for, the courage and the compassion that continue to bind our people during critical emergencies such as this,” he said.“I have no doubt that as this emergency passes, it shall leave us stronger and more united by richer humane bonds.”
Returning to Malacañang, the President sat down almost immediately with Congress leaders to discuss pending legislative measures, such as the proposed increase minimum wage, the export tax and the national budget for the next fiscal year. Present at the conference, which began at 2:30 p.m. and finished at 3:30 p.m., were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Senate President Protempore Jose Roy, Speaker Protempore Jose Aldeguer, Senate Majority Floorleader Arturo M. Tolentino, House Majority Floorleader Marcelino Veloso, Senator Wenceslao Lagumbay and Reps. Jose Alberto, Natalio P. Castillo and Pablo Ocampo.
Also present were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Secretary of Labor Blas F. Ople, Labor Undersecretary Raoul Inocentes, PES Deputy Director General Apolinario Orosa and Director Tito Mijares of the Bureau of Census and Statistics.
The President also conferred with Secretary of General Services Constancio E. Castañeda on the reported loss of valuable records and documents in the archives division of the Bureau of Records Management.
Secretary Castañeda who investigated the report with assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Command, reported to the President that only xerox copies of certain documents were found missing and that measures had been taken to secure all valuable records.
The President also conferred with Director Jose Viado of the Parks and Wildlife Office. He directed Director Viado, who is concurrently director of forestry, to look into complaints that forest concessions are encroaching on parks and settlement reservations. The President received these complaints during his five-day visit to Mindanao. The President also ordered Director Viado to go after kaingeros, saying that he had seen a number of forest fires ranging in some of the areas he visited in Mindanao.
Went to bed at 12:30 last night and woke up at 5:30 AM. Heli to the coffee plantation at the knoll which is about 3,000 feet less high. The housing site of Dolephil [Dole Philippines] is 2,100 feet above sea level. Unusually warm but a continuing 15 knot breeze from the east.
Took off for Davao at 7:30 AM. Davao City at 8:00 AM. No hostile demonstrators. To the conference of bishops where Mons. [Lino Rasdesales] Gonzaga [Archbishop of Zamboanga] and Velasco were present. Then to the inauguration of two city cemented streets. People very enthusiastically waving to us and shaking hands, running out of their houses to see us.
Took off for Manila at 9:30 AM. Uneventful trip but ceiling high. Estimated 15,000 feet. Landed at 11:50 AM. Inspected the temporary tower (navigational lent by the 13th Air Force as our MIA [Manila International Airport] tower was knocked out by the earthquake). Then to the Pedro Guevarra School that collapsed. Built by the city and inaugurated only last February. Faulty construction—powdery cement. Covered by television-radio. Went to the top of the debris with the volunteer workers.
Bongbong says he never knew he could run so fast downstairs. He first fell flat on the floor of his room and then ran out. So with Irene but she returned to pick up Pugger the Pekinese who was sour because he had been awakened.
2:00 PM Conference on the legislative program with the legislative leaders. Minimum wage, export tax and the budget.
PHILCAG [Philippine Civic Action Group] funds check with Johnny [Juan] Ponce Enrile, [Ernesto] Mata, [Caberos?], [Mathay?], and Dumlao.
Could this be Juan Bautista Velasco Diaz, OP (1911-1985) Auxiliary Bishop of Manila?
In PCGG transcription only lists Ponce Enrile based on an incomplete cropped photocopy, Malacañang copy has the last line where Marcos scribbled three additional surnames.