4 yr. Agricultural Dev. [Development] Plan.
Round Table Conference in December.
Official Gazette for June 18, 1970: President Marcos had a brisk workday with conferences and callers adding to his usual schedule, which however leaned heavily toward desk work. One of his more important sessions was with the Food and Agriculture Council, during which he was briefed on the progress of the food production program, and new initiatives to widen the program were discussed.
The President also spent some time with the delegation representing the Muslim Association of the Philippines, which sought presidential assurances for broader and more rapid development of Mindanao and Sulu. The President stressed that there is a program of development for that region, based on priorities, and that it will indeed be implemented and accelerated.
The delegation included newly elected national officers of the association, namely, Rep. Salipada Pendatun, president; former Gov. Benjamin Abubakar, executive vice president; former Commissioner Abraham Rasul, vice president for Sulu and Palawan; Linipasan Idjirani, PRO; Mohammad Edris, director for Basilan City; Abdugani Andohol, director for Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City; Asbi Edding, director f or Zamboanga del Norte and Mrs. Saphia Mustapha AI-Rashid, director for Women’s Groups.
Other callers included foreign visitors, businessmen, and officials who consulted with the President on specific problems. In-between, the President steadily worked on’ state papers.
On the eve of the 109th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, the President issued the following message: “We celebrate the birth anniversary of a man long gone from us, but whose thoughts and ideals are more than ever before relevant to our times.
“Dr. Jose Rizal tirelessly preached unity and the idea of national community. He called for individual commitment to the great causes of his day—reform for the person and for the body politic—but he rejected extremism in winning social and political goals, and consequent events proved him right as the gradual and progressive evolution of our country ripened to nationhood and the liberal democracy which informs our life.
“We can best honor his memory, we can best celebrate his coming among us, by taking him to heart; by listening to his admonitions about commitment and sacrifice, so that we may not only deserve our freedom, but enlarge it, deepen its meaning, and use it to make an enduring, prosperous and respected nation.”
The President, also signed a proclamation declaring Friday, June 19, as a special public holiday in the province of Laguna and San Pablo City.
In the course of the day, the President received more messages from heads of state felicitating the Philippines and the Filiprno people on the 72nd anniversary of Philippine Independence.
Among the new messages received were those of the government and people of Chile, sent through Ambassador Luis Melo Lecaros; President Charles Helou of Lebanon, and Salem Robya AH, chairman of the Presidential Council of the Peoples Republic of Southern Yemen.
Chairman Salem Robya Ali, in his message, said:
“It gives me great pleasure to express to your Excellency on behalf of the people and government of the Peoples Republic of Southern Yemen our sincerest felicitations on the Independence Day of the Philippines, wishing your Excellency happiness and good health and the friendly people of the Philippines every success in their life