Imelda and Imee have arrived by PAL [Philippine Airlines] from Rome at 7:25 PM. We have just come in from the dinner we gave for them.
Triton, Podco and Pioneer came to see me this noon to report that they have struck a heavy pressure area in the Sulu Seas. The point they are drilling at is 70 miles South East of Balabac and 35 miles west of Cagayan de Sulu. The pressure of the gases is 8,200 pounds per square inch. Normally the pressure should be 4,000. The casing of their drill was prepared to withstand only 4,000 so they had to plug the hole with cement otherwise the gas would have aerated the water and the rig and ship would have sunk.
But the greater possibility is that the gas is from the gas cap of a big oil deposit. Prices of our exports keep going up.
Official Gazette for February 18, 1973: IMPORTANT ROLE of radio and telecommunications in safeguarding the national security and in promoting a healthy atmosphere for business, tourism and the economic development of the country, was underscored by Ceferino Carreon, officer-in-charge of the Radio Control Office. Because of these vital functions, the RCO has exercised stricter supervision and control over radio broadcasting stations, television networks and other telecommunications facilities since the imposition of Martial Law, resulting in the improvement of the standard of broadcasts, according to the RCO chief. The RCO expects to improve its facilities, with the recent Integrated Communications Network ordered by the President designed to provide communications facilities to the far flung areas of the country not yet serviced by government or private network.
EXCESS AND OTHER unauthorized firearms should be deposited only with the PC firearms and explosives unit in Camp Crame, Quezon City for residents of the Greater Manila area or with the nearest provincial headquarters for residents of the provinces, according to a reminder issued by Col, Alfonso C. Trance, commanding officer of the firearms and explosives unit, in the wake of inquiries from the people who want to know if they could surrender their excess guns to any military officer. The PC firearms chief said that the PC firearms and explosive unit in Camp Crame, and the provincial headquarters located in the capital of each province are the only places where excess and other unauthorized firearms can be deposited. There is only one form of official receipt used in acknowledging the deposit of excess and unauthorized firearms, a copy of which is furnished by the PC computer center at Camp Crame. It was also explained that these firearms holders cannot transfer their excess or unauthorized firearms even to their next kin because all transactions involving the issuance of licenses, alteration of licenses, change of firearms, change of residence, have been suspended after the proclamation of Martial Law.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM fieldmen have been authorized “to exhaust all the remedies within their authority” and, if necessary, avail themselves of military assistance to avert disruption of the peace and order conditions now prevailing in the countryside. The authorization was made due to the intensification of the drive to inform tenant-farmers and landowners of their respective responsibilities under the mandate for agrarian reform. It has been reported that some landlords do not recognize the good intent of the provisions of the Presidential decrees and letters of instructions, resulting in conflicts between tillers and landowners. In this connection, the DAR stresses strict observance of the following guidelines: As of Oct. 21, 1972, all tenant-farmers are deemed owners of the land they till; no tenant farmer shall be ejected from his farmlot pending promulgation of the agrarian rules; the leasehold system shall be provisionally maintained; tenants shall continue to pay lease rentals, the rate to be determined by the DAR (the rent may. be credited as amortization payment later); and, all pending cases in, courts between tenants and landowners shall be held in abeyance.