1:00 AM Jan. 13th
Official Gazette for January 12, 1973: MAJORITY OF THE 53 per cent of the citizens assemblies which have completed the referendum on vital issues submitted to them have voiced overwhelming support for the way President Marcos is running the government, for the continuation of Martial Law, and for the approval of the proposed new charter except that portion of it on the interim National Assembly. Assistant Executive Secretary Flores A. Bayot who toured some provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao, reported a heavy turnout of local residents at the assemblies. He estimated that some 95 per cent of those who participated in the assemblies endorsed the issues submitted to them. Mr. Bayot likewise reported that the people favor continuation of Martial Law because under it they can have more hope of a better life.
SECRETARY OF PUBLIC Information Francisco S. Tatad appealed to the local Chinese community and other foreign groups to support and extend their full cooperation In the realization of objectives of the New Society because no alien guests whose only purpose is to amass profits will be tolerated. The secretary stressed it is important for the aliens who have decided to build their homes and future in the country to involve themselves in the causes and motivations that, impelled President Marcos to institute the reforms in the New Society. Mr. Tatad, addressing the bi-monthly meeting of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, likewise favored the assimilation of local Chinese culture into the Filipino way of life because “there is no way out you . . . are here and should help us.”
DR. PACIFICO E. MARCOS, chairman of the Philippine Medical Care Commission, reiterated to medicare members compulsorily covered by the Medicare Law, that when they require hospitalization, all they need is to go to a hospital of their choice and be attended to immediately. Dr. Marcos said that in seeking hospitalization or treatment from hospitals or doctors of their choice, the medicare members should bring with them only proofs of active participation in the medicare program, such as: 1) Employer’s Medicare Contribution Certification, 2) SSS Identification Card (for SSS members) and GSIS Policy (for GSIS members), 3) Current year employment Identification Card, and 4) Any other proof indicating active membership with the SSS or the GSIS which may include the new Residence Certificate. After presenting any of the proofs, all hospitals and all doctors are duty bound to render the necessary services for the treatment of a medicare patient without exacting any advance payments whether partially or in full from him for services within the benefits allowed by the Medicare Law, Dr. Marcos said.
SELECTIVE BIR OFFICES especially in the national office at the Finance Building Agrifina Circle, are open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays to accommodate taxpayers. Taxpayers may pay taxes at the Sound floor of the Finance building, seek information at the Tax Information Division, second floor; obtain tax clearance certificates at the third floor Tax Accounts Division, and seek information on presidential tax decrees. A pool of competent BIR officials has been organized on these days so that taxpayers could be helped with authority. BIR regional offices are also open on these days.
BIR COMMISSIONER Misael P. Vera stressed anew the secrecy and inviolate nature of returns filed with the Bureau of Internal Revenue by persons who voluntarily report previously untaxed income or wealth pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 23, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 67. “These returns will be kept in a secret file and will not be subjected to any examination,” Commissioner Vera said. He stated that Revenue Regulations No. 15-72 penalizes any person who discloses information relating to the declaration with an imprisonment of not more than two years.
ALL CITIZENS ARE called upon by the Dangerous Drugs Board to equip themselves with the basic factual knowledge of drug abuse so they can effectively help combat the growing menace. Secretary of Health Clemente S. Gatmaitan, DDB chairman, made the call in an address at the opening of the training course on narcotics and ‘dangerous drug control and investigation at the Police Commission Academy in Fort Bonifacio. Mr. Gatmaitan stressed that like the trainees taking the course, the citizenry must equally take concern and familiarize themselves with the symptoms and effect to drugs, adding that they must be prepared to recognize who are the villains and who are the victims. Drug addiction is a grave threat in the school environment, in the home and in various sectors of society, drawing thousands of people to drug dependency and draining themselves of millions of pesos to the illicit drug trade, according to Mr. Gatmaitan.
SOCIAL WELFARE Secretary Estefania Aldaba Lim announced that the DSW is stepping up its comprehensive
The Citizens Assembly are going on quite well as expected.
Our visitors, Mariting March, Manalo March, Alfonso Fierro and wife Marita, daughter of Mariting took the KLM [Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij – Royal Dutch Airlines] at 7:00PM for Rome and Madrid.
Imelda brought them up by plane to Baguio then back to Manila at noon from Poro Pt. after an 8:00 AM car ride from Agoo (Sta. Rita) this morning. I water skied in Poro Pt. 10:15-11:00 AM then took the CB King Air for Manila.
Gen. [Jose] Rancudo showed me the military installations of the Malaysians in Banguey
Island. This may be the training ground of the troops being sent to Sulu and Mindanao.
We will have to develop some bases in the southern islands—Candaroma Island off Balabat has an airstrip capable to handling a C-47 and the Sanga Sanga strip.
Submarines have allegedly been sighted in the south and a black Albatross sunk off Palawan.
Imelda’s trip to the United States is prepared. I attach the cable of Sharon which explains what [Daniel] Inouye and Amb. [Henry] Byroade felt was a State Dept. wish for her not to go.
Alex [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.] reports Amb. Byroade suggests some answers to questions in the Citizens Assemblies. This is intervention in Internal Affairs.
five-year program so that a larger percentage of the program’s target population will be served this year. Secretary Lim said the encouraging results reaped by the DSW during the last six months inspired her to push through the five-year program (1972-76) of the department. The DSW program is designed to provide wider socio-economic opportunities and open avenues for more social benefits for families in the submarginal group or those whose average monthly income is P90 and below. This group comprises 30 per cent (10.9 million) of the Philippine population.