Official Gazette for April 19, 1973: REVAMP OF THE GOVERNMENT, along the lines of the parliamentary concept, will be pushed through by the next fiscal year through the adoption of “staffing patterns.” The stalling patterns, approved by the Cabinet during its last meeting in Malacañang, determine who of the personnel should be retained or laid off. The overriding factors in the preparation of the patterns are the best interests of the service, streamlining of functions and conformity with the change in the form of Government. The staffing patterns were worked out by the respective heads of the executive departments with officials of the WAPCO. Civil Service and the Reorganization Commission.
THE PRESIDENT approved in principle a three-phase Mass Transit Rail System for Metro Manila as a way of easing the chronic commuter problem. With the growing demand for cheap transportation, the plan, proposed by the Philippine National Railway, contemplates sprawling network of railway for the populous Greater Manila metropolis. Acting PNR General Manager Nicanor T. Jimenez recommended the more ambitious rail transit program because of the favorable public response to the railroad’s commuter service. Under Phase I, some 12,500 passengers will be accommodated daily. The outlay is P2.18 million and the schedule of implementation encompasses the period between December 1972 and December 1973. As for the Phase II, a daily PNR capacity of 25,000 passengers will be handled, with an investment of $3.95 million and P8.21 million. Schedule of implementation—December 1973 to June 1974. Phase II involves the daily transport of 50,000 to 150,000 passengers. The fund requirements for the project run up to $20.3 million and P60 million. Schedule of implementation—June 1974 to December 1977.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT’S general fund registered an operating surplus of P185.462.92 in March, 1973. This was announced by Secretary of finance Cesar E.A. Virata, who also revealed that the cumulative surplus from July 1, 1972 to March 31, 1973 amounted to P424,858,742. The operating surplus represented the excess of the general fund cash receipts over the general fund cash disbursements. In other words the cash receipts were much bigger than the cash disbursements during the period referred to. The beginning cash balance of the general fund in the Bureau of Treasury as of March 31, 1973 amounted to P1,114,999,773.
THE PRESIDENT expressed his desire to renegotiate the whole range of Philippine relations with the United States in one sitting. In an interview with Manila newsmen in Baguio City, the President stated that the renegotiations are demanded by fast-changing developments, not only in Asia, but in the whole world. He said that in-depth studies are now being undertaken on the matter. The Philippines has several treaties with the United States, among them the military base agreement, the Mutual Defense Act and the Laurel-Langley Agreement. The Chief Executive said that the Philippines and the United States may also include in the renegotiation exploratory talks on the extradition treaty between the two countries.
NATIONAL FOOD and Agricultural Council revealed there are about eight million undernourished children of the one-to-four-year old bracket in the country today. Alarmed by these findings, Secretary Arturo R. Tanco Jr. of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and concurrently chairman of the NFAC, convened some 60 heads of various government agencies and representatives of private and international groups to find ways and means of curbing or minimizing malnutrition. The conferences main objective was the establishment of an effective implementing program and closer coordination between the agencies involved in the nutrition development.
THE PRESIDENT took up anew with local officials the water shortage problem of Baguio City. In a conference with Benguet Gov. Ben Palispis, Baguio City Mayor Luis Lardizabal and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Misael P. Vera, the Chief Executive directed that a study and the drafting of plans be made to solve the perennial problem once and for all. At the same time, the President ordered an investigation of complaints that mining firms in the province of Benguet have been drawing water from the mountains, particularly Mt. Sto. Tomas, which is the watershed of the city. The President received reports that the Benguet Exploration and Black Mountain mining operations not only prejudiced the water supply but also caused the pollution of the river which goes all the way to the lowlands. He stressed the urgency of solving the water problem which residents and thousands of vacationists experienced every summer in the summer capital.
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Golf at 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM at Kaniao. Press interview at the clubhouse.
Inspection of the city. Lunch at Joe [Jose] Campose’s [sic] house.
Siesta and massage.
Met Gov. [Gualberto] & Cong. [Romulo] Lumauig of Ifugao with Dir. [Jose] Viado. Then Gov. Ben Palispis and Prov. and Municipal Officials of Benguet, Gov. [Rolando] Puzon of Kalinga-Apayao, later the Baguio City officials to congratulate them on the cleanliness and beautification campaign.
Started the new concept of Communal Tree Farming by Municipalities in the Ambuklao and Binga watersheds (Municipalities of Bokod, Buguias). The government and Benguet Consolidated will join hands to start reforestation in certain areas of the watersheds. The people will be paid.
But each barrio may put up a communal forest by tree farming.