While keeping to the Mansion I worked on:
Official Gazette for April 20, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has directed the immediate implementation of a provision in the new Constitution requiring educational institutions to be solely owned by Philippine citizens or Filipino-controlled corporations to effect the desired changes and reforms in the country’s educational system. The President’s order was contained in Presidential Decree No. 176. Aside from the requirement that all educational institutions be vested in the citizens of the country, the presidential decree also provides that membership in the governing bodies or boards of such educational institutions shall be limited to Filipino citizens. Henceforth, no educational institution shall be established exclusively for aliens, nor shall any school offer any curriculum exclusively for aliens. The enrolment of aliens in any school is limited to not more than one-third of the total enrolment therein. Full compliance with this requirement in any school shall be effected not later than the beginning of the schoolyear 1976-1977. These provisions, however, shall not apply to schools established for foreign diplomatic personnel and their dependents and, unless otherwise provided by law, for other foreign temporary residents.
FRUIT TREES and bamboo plants are exempt from real property taxes unless they are grown principally for commercial purposes. This clarification was issued by Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata following reports that landowners are planning to cut down trees grown in their lands because all fruit trees will be subject to taxation under Presidential Decree No. 76. Secretary Virata stressed that fruit trees and bamboo plants not grown for commercial purposes are not subject to real property tax under the old law or even under Presidential Decree No. 76.
THE PRESIDENT initiated a massive tree-farming program to prevent soil erosion and floods, and pinpointed the watershed areas of Ambuklao and Binga as pilot projects in the nationwide reforestation campaign. The President made this move after expressing grave concern over reports that the water level in the hydro-electric power projects in Northern Luzon has been going down and might trigger power problems as far south as Greater Manila. In a conference with forestry officials, Northern Luzon governors and officials at the Mansion House in Baguio City, the President stressed the necessity of the tree-farming program because of the continuous deforestation of the country’s forest due to unscrupulous logging and kaingin. He called on the people to coordinate in this massive tree-farming program.
THE PRESIDENT ordered the release of P2 million for the improvement of the water system of Baguio City, following reports of a serious water shortage in the country’s summer capital. The President made the order of release to the city government with the condition that it will turn over one-half of the amount to the National Power Corporation in partial settlement of its electric power and light bills. The President assured the Baguio City officials that the national government is interested in their problems and that the release of P2 million should help improve the city’s water and sewerage system.
BUREAU OF INTERNAL Revenue officials and men who divulge trade secrets will be penalized by an imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than five years or both or a fine of not more than P5,000. This warning has been issued by Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata as he called the attention of all BIR officials and men to Section 347 of the National Internal Revenue Code as amended by Presidential Decree No. 69. “Trade secrets” are spelled out as information regarding the business, income, or inheritance of any taxpayer, the secret operation, style of work, or apparatus of any manufacturer or producer, or confidential information regarding the business of any taxpayer.
PLANT AND SOIL experts have discovered that the use of potassium in lowland rice production has yielded excellent results in terms of soil fertilization. This new boost to rice production was underscored by the Bureau of Plant Industry. The seminar was held in San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur. Dr. S. K. de Datta, agronomist of the International Rice Research Institute, reported the dramatic response of high-yielding rice varieties to potassium fertilization in cooperative experiments conducted in various BPI stations. Dr. de Datta added that in areas where continuous rice cropping is done, the application of complete fertilizers (NPK) is needed to sustain high yield grains.
- Tobacco—Phassing out the use of wood for fuel in the curing barn. Purchase of nature tobacco.
- Fishing—Trawlers to be kept from the shallow bays.
- Tree farming for all of the Philippines.
- The rice supply.
Evelin Rothschild arrived with Enriquito Zobel from Calatagan. He is the head of the English Rothschilds and makes the decisions while Jacob Rothschild is the brains.
Eveline Rothschild is also chairman of the Board of “The Economist.”
He is interested in European interests coming to the Philippines.
I attach some interesting reports including the participation of [Salipada] Pendatun in the procurement of arms for the Muslim rebels.