Cavite Naval Base for the launching of a 65 ft ferro-cement boat, a station hospital, quarters and officers club where we had lunch.
Then an inspection of Sangley P[oin]t. The Admiral’s quarters have been fixed to accommodate the First Family.
I have ordered the emphasis of planning and training on:
Official Gazette for April 27, 1972: THE PRESIDENT conferred in the morning with a combined delegation from Isabela and Quirino provinces, headed by Senator Leonardo Perez and Rep. Benjamin Perez, to discuss the economic development program for the two provinces.
The delegation presented proposals on, among others, land problems, increased agricultural production, infrastructures, and share in income tax collections.
During the meeting, the President:
1) Appealed to the local executives to pinpoint the alleged bad elements in the army in their localities so that they could be court-martialed.
2) Directed Secretaries Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. of agriculture and natural resources and Conrado Estrella of agrarian reform to coordinate and to take up the proposals with the delegation.
3) Directed Chairman Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic Council to look into the proposals with the view to giving priority to the two provinces.
4) Defined the basic policy of reserving portions of public lands for reforestation and portions for disposal to the public.
5) Asked for the adoption of a policy to connect lumber concessions by road to national highways for the benefit not only of the concessionaries but of the farmers and peasants.
6) Announced the graduation of some 502 trainees who, in turn, would fan out to the provinces to train local residents in consumer or producer cooperatives organization.
Among those in the delegation were Governor Faustino Dy of Isabela and Gualberto Lumauig of Quirino (Ifugao); and the mayors of San Mateo, Jones, Benito Soliven, Reyno Mercedes, Ramos, Echague, Dibilican and Tumauini in Isabela, and Sagada, Cabarroguis, Diffun and Madela in Quirino.
After the conference, the President sailed for Cavite City where he officiated at the launching of the new 65—foot ferro-cement fast patrol craft, and the inauguration of the navy barracks, station hospital and officers’ clubhouse.
In his brief remarks, the President announced that the Philippine Navy would continue constructing vessels for its own use in line with the new policy of adopting a self-reliant defense posture.
He said that the launching of the new craft “epitomizes the will of the Filipino people to do what they can with their own limited resources to attain self-reliance in defense of their own security and welfare.”
The Chief Executive arrived at the navy base aboard the RPS 777 at 10:30 a.m., and was met by local officials, foreign dignitaries, military top brass and other high government officials who attended the occasion.
From the pier, he motored to the parade ground where he was accorded full military honors by two companies of navy trainees, after which he motored back to the dock for the launching ceremony.
The President, assisted by Mrs. Juan Ponce Enrile, pulled the lever which signalled the launching of the vessel.
After inspecting the vessel, the President motored to the barracks, the station hospital and then to the officers’ clubhouse for the ribbon cutting rites.
After lunch at the clubhouse, he reboarded the RPS 777 for the return trip to Manila.
Among those present at the ceremony were Defense Undersecretary Efren I. Plana, Governor Lino Bocalan of Cavite, Mayor Eduardo de Guzman of Cavite City, foreign dignitaries led by Ambassadors Henry Byroade of the United States and Deva Rao of India, and chiefs of the major commands of the armed forces.
- Missile capability of small craft
- Submersibles (one man or two men)
And I have also ordered the lengthening of the 8,000 ft runway of the base (Sangley) to accommodate jet fighters and 4-engined jets.
Conference on board the 777 on reparation with Gen. [Eulogio] Balao and Chairman [Anacleto] Mangaser.
Amb. [Henry] Byroade still feels they will win the war in South Vietnam.