Imelda is with the Vincent Rectos and I have been working on the Marcos Trust or Foundation accounts as well as the party organization in Manila with Cong. Paco Reyes.
Majority leader Arturo Tolentino is too close to the Lopezes and does not want to authorize the congressmen to reorganize.
So I have suggested that all the vocales meet (at least in the 1st District of Paco Reyes) and present a fait accompli of reorganization to Turing and the National Executive Committee.
I am now reviewing the suggestions for constitutional amendments. I meet with the northern bloc of congressman on this tomorrow night for dinner at 8:00.
Gen. Charles Lindberg[h] came to see me on the conservation program. He had nothing but praise for the Sablayan—Mt. Iglit reservation in Mindoro Occidental inasmuch as the number of Tamaraws has increased admirably during the 2 years of the program.
We go to formalize the joint partnership of the government, the native Batangeños and the farmers and hunters in the area about May 15th so as to give acknowledgment for this successful effort to save a disappearing species.
We also will go to into the areas of the monkey-eating eagle.
“The whole world has nothing but acclaim for you for the successful program on the salvation of the tamaraw,” he said. “This shall give new spirit to the conservation program throughout the world, as the tamaraw had been given up,” he concluded.
I intend to give him the Order of the Golden Heart for his efforts on conservation.
I finally obtained the agreement of all those interested in the tobacco industry (aromatic) including the buyers, the exporters, the redriers and the cigarette manufacturer to agree:
- That the obligation of buying all the Virginia tobacco produce shall be shifted from the government to the private sector.
- That the purchase price will not be lower than the price now provided by the law (RA [Republic Act] s1194 as amended).
- That we will all agree to establish an export market.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
4. To this end no one will export the local Virginia tobacco at less than 35 cents U.S. per kilo with export incentive.
5. That the PVTA [Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration] grading shall be maintained rigorously.
6. That no buyer will buy outside of the Trading stations which will be run by the different buyers but will be controlled m1d supervised by the PVTA.
7. That they will all participate in the program to improve the quality of local tobacco.
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