Left for the Sugar Planters Convention at 8:00 AM by plane for Bacolod.
Met the mayors at Gov. [Alfredo] Montelibano’s [Jr.] house and attended the convention at 11:30 AM.
Spoke on why we must support sugar. It is one of the principal producers of dollars for our industrialization.
“But you must stand up and fight for your industry. Do not cover in shame or apology. For your industry helps the country and the Filipino people.
“Do not wait for the President to defend you and your industry. Come out openly on your behalf.
If the sugar industry collapses, then since our industrialization depends on our exports, industrialization will lag, unemployment will worsen, prices of other commodities which are imported in processed form or in raw materials will rise, we cannot attain our objective of a balanced agro-industrial economy.
Slept on the plane on the way back from 1:45 to 3:00 PM. Was at [Bahay] Pangarap at about 3:30 with Imelda and the girls. Played golf at 4:20-6:25 PM including the usual exercises: 102 sit ups, 50 deep knee bends (squatting) biceps-triceps tension, pectoral tension, shoulder arm—200 times.
MALACAÑAN PALACE
Official Gazette for February 22, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS enplaned for Bacolod City in the morning to address the delegates to the 19th annual convention of the National Federation of Sugar Planters.
Accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, the President arrived in Bacolod about 9:30 a.m.
After receiving full military honors upon arrival at the Bacolod airport the First Couple motored to the residence of Gov. Alfredo Montelibano, Jr. where the President conferred with provincial and municipal officials.
The President was gratified to learn that aside from a few cases of piracy in remote coastal towns, the peace and order in the province was generally satisfactory.
Among the requests received by the President from local officials were those for assistance by the national government in the repair of broken down roads and bridges, dredging facilities and the construction of sea-walls to protect the inhabitants of certain coastal communities from floods.
At 11:30 a.m., the President and the First Lady proceeded to the convention site where they were met with a prolonged, standing ovation as they entered the hall.
The President hailed the sugar industry on which, he said, “the livelihood of three million Filipinos depends and upon whose health and vigor the nation’s economic development depends so much.”
The Chief Executive urged the sugar industry leaders to defend the industry against “libelous indictments” by its critics. He declared: “As long as I am President, the government will continue to protect the industry and be allowed to participate in the stabilization of the economy.”
The First Couple returned to Manila immediately after partaking of lunch with the convention delegates.