Official Gazette for July 22, 1971: Highlighting President Marcos’ schedule was his keynote speech at the opening of the joint conference of the World Anti-Communism League and the Asian Peoples’ Anti-Communist League, and the presentation of the Order of Malta award, Colar Pro Merito Malitenza the highest decoration given by that entity to foreign heads of state.
Briefly, the President’s day had the following high points: 1 Presentation of award to the President by Minister Jose Soriano of the Order of Malta. In his brief remarks, the President said: “I receive this award not only on my behalf,” the President said, “but on behalf of the entire people and government of the Republic, since I presume this award has been given in recognition of the good work in which our people and government are engaged.” The President received the award in the presence of several Knights of Malta including Vice Consul Justo Lopez, Ernesto Rufino, Sebastian Ugarte and Daniel Vasquez. Also present were the First Lady, Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, and children Imee, Irene and Bongbong.
2. Courtesy call of Gough Whitlam, opposition leader of Australia, who had come from Red China. Hitlam exchanged impressions with the President on the effects and implications of the change in foreign policy of the U. S. and China. 3. Courtesy call of delegates to the joint conference of the World Anti-Communist League and Asian Anti-Communist League. 4. Courtesy call of representatives of the Filipino Alumni Association of Los Angeles, who requested the establishment of a PNB branch in that city where some 70,000 Filipinos live and work. They pointed out that the PNB has branches in San Francisco and New York City where there are fewer Filipinos. The President promised to endorse their request to the PNB board. Those who called included Antonio M. San Jose, president; Dr. Lina B. Navarro, crowned Mrs. Philippines of Los Angeles; and Dr. Rolando Navarro, president, Philippine Medical Society of Southern California.
5. Meeting with Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. on the rice situation. 6. At.2 p.m. the President addressed the joint conference of the Anti-Communists League at the SSS Building, Quezon City.
Among other actions, the President directed Secretary of Justice Jose Abad Santos to render an opinion on whether the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) can legally make public significant data on all loans and guarantees extended by it since the beginning of his administration on January 1, 1966, as well as those granted under all previous administrations. The President made this move upon the suggestion of Central Bank Gov.
Decoration by the Sovereign Order of Malta with their highest decoration for a Chief of State.
Addressed the World Anti-Communist League which came to see me after the decoration at 11:00 AM.
Met the Australian Labor leader of Parliament, Mr. [Gough] Whitlam, and talked of Red China which he visited two days before Pres. [Richard] Nixon announced his visit to Peking. I told him and the Australian ambassador that our country was gravely concerned by the possibility that the Nixon visit may lead to the recognition of Red China by the U.S. Then Red China would have a legal and a moral right to claim and take over Taiwan. Then Red China would be our next door neighbor. She would also claim the Spratley Islands which is close to us. She would be a threat to our country.
Then added to the present danger of internal subversion would be the fear of external aggression.
So we must now prepare for this.
Then met the Rural Self-Employment Committee of Sec. [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.].
And in the afternoon at 2:00 PM I addressed the Anti Communist League at the SSS [Social Security System] auditorium. I announced that the issue of communism will be submitted to the November 1971 elections for resolution by our people who, I am confident, will vote communism down as a way of life.
Gregorio S. Licaros, who wrote the President expressing his concern over the trend of congressional investigations of banks, notably the DBP.
The President also took steps to alleviate the critical food situation and arrest the spiralling prices of rice. In his conference with Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. and representatives of other government agencies involved in rice production, the President directed that immediate action be taken to alleviate the rice problem. The President told Secretary Tanco that provincial governors, city and municipal mayors continue to complain about critical rice deficiencies and soaring prices in their regions.
“Let us do something about this situation,” the President said want a report on the action you have taken.”
In another directive to Secretary Tanco, Secretary of Health Amadeo H. Cruz and the administrator of the Food and Drug Administration, the President ordered that:
1. Henceforth the use of DDT as an insecticide for agricultural crops would be prohibited; 2. No permits would be given to new drugs from abroad for use by the public or for sale in the Philippines unless it is shown that the drug is permitted for public use in the country of origin by the government of that country. The President ordered a study made as to the essentiality of prohibiting completely the use of DDT.
Among those present in the conference were Director Leonardo A. Paulino of the Bureau of Agricultural Economics; Director Eliseo C. Carandang of the Bureau of Plant Industry; Director Pedro G. Refuerzo of the Bureau of Animal Industry; Commissioner Andres Mane of the Philippine Fisheries Commission; Acting Manager A. B. Abrazaldo of RCA; Deputy Commissioner Francisco G. Rentutar of the Agricultural Productivity Commission; NFAC Deputy Executive Director Domingo Panganiban; Vicente C. de Jesus and R. E. Fronda of NFAC; and Juan A. Mariano and Julian S. Frianeza of the Bureau of Soils.