4:00 PM On board the
777 going back to June 15, 1973
Official Gazette for June 14, 1973: THE PRESIDENT issued a decree intended to prevent the further destruction of the Ambuldao and Binga watersheds and to implement a massive tree-planting program in the area. Through Presidential Decree No. 209, the Chief Executive authorized the Bureau of Forest Development and the four provincial governments to undertake reforestation and to prevent the further destruction of the watersheds of the Ambuklao and Binga Hydro-Electric dams by unscrupulous loggers and vegetable gardeners.
THE PRESIDENT paid tribute to his comrades-in-arms who fell at the historic Battle of Bessang Pass exactly 28 years ago. With the national colors flying at half mast, the President laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at Fort Bonifacio. In memory of those who fell at the Pass, the Chief Executive directed that all the names of officers and men of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (the President’s own wartime unit), who died in the battle be listed in a tablet at the memorial marking the historic battle.
THE CENTRAL BANK will start mopping up excess money in urban centers for eventual dispersal to rural areas. The CB will mop up excess liquidity in urban areas by offering to the public P200 million worth of Central Bank Certificates of Indebtedness (CBCIs). The excess money from the urban centers will be pumped by the Government into rural areas, specifically for infrastructure and other economic development projects.
DEPARTMENT of Trade directed the Securities and Exchange Commission to look into the reported manipulation of stocks being traded in the stock exchanges. Secretary Quiazon said that although the SEC has been faithfully exercising its powers within the limits of law, there still appears a need for more effective measures to forestall the nefarious activities of these dealers. The trade secretary asked the SEC to assign agents in stock exchanges to be on the alert for any abnormal activity involving a particular issue. Among the materials ordered checked by Secretary Quiazon are publications, brochures, circulars, memoranda, and other informative materials about the affairs of a corporation whose securities are licensed by the SEC.
SECRETARY of Finance Cesar E.A. Virata revealed that a total of 110 motor vehicles face seizure from their owners who have failed to pay taxes and duties under the tax amnesty. In this connection, he ordered the seizure of motor vehicles after he was informed by Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina that the second installment on the tax payment of the vehicles have not been paid. The aggregate amount of taxes and duties due from the motor vehicles is P700,000.
SMALL farmers have received over P471.649 million loans without collaterals from the Government as of December 31, 1972. Through the Agricultural Credit Administration (ACA) the Government loaned out over P471 million to 786,000 small farmers and their cooperative associations from September, 1952 up to December 31, 1972. Of the P471,649 million loaned out by ACA during a period of 20 years, over P250.469 million or more than one-half, were released during the present administration. From January 1, 1968 up to Dec. 31, 1972 (a period of seven years) the Government released over P250.469 million, compared with P221.172 million representing the cumulative loans that ACA had extended during the entire 13 years and six months of previous administrations.
THE PRESIDENT gave the assurance that the Philippines has enough fertilizers to meet all the needs of the country’s farmers. As of May 27, the President reported, there was an inventory of 78,182 metric tons of fertilizers, composed of 10,277 tons of urea, 19,589 tons of ammosul (ammonium sulfate), and 48,170 tons of others. The President was informed that these figures do not include the stocks already in the hands of dealers or distributors, and the total available supply should, therefor, be higher. Despite this optimistic picture, the President warned against over-confidence because of unforseen problems that may still crop up.
PHILIPPINE Medical Care Commission asked the Department of Health to look into reports that some government hospital doctors are deviating medicare patients to private hospitals where such physicians have their private practice. Dr. Pacifico E. Marcos, PMCC chairman, informed Dr. Pedro Mayuga, Director of the Bureau of Health and Medical Services that the PMCC discovered the unethical practice from patients who sought advice from the PMCC on how they can avail themselves of the medicare benefits without extra expense to themselves.
Official Gazette for June 15, 1973: THE PRESIDENT issued a proclamation declaring that the Victory of Bessang Pass Day, traditionally celebrated every June 14, should be observed on the first Saturday after this date. The President moved the date of observance to enable the nation to celebrate it without much lose of work hours. In
Manila from Baseco [Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Co., Inc.] Thursday
Maharlika Friday
Bessang Pass Day in the morning at 11:00 AM. I worked on pending matters.
Pelota and swimming in the afternoon.
Then Van Cliburns’ concert at 7:00 PM, although we left the palace at 7:15 PM. The concert must have started at a quarter to 8:00 PM.
I went incognito so that Security would have less problems, stayed at the back row of the presidential box.
issuing this proclamation, the President noted that Bessang Pass has become a monument to the courage and patriotism of the Filipino soldiers and the Filipino people during World War II. The Chief Executive called upon public officials and the citizens of the country to celebrate the day by holding appropriate programs in honor of the gallant Filipinos who fought in the battle of Bessang Pass.
SECRETARY of Trade Troadio T. Quiazon Jr. announced that a joint venture proposal was made by a Danish firm, Nilsen and Sons, during a call on the office of the Philippine trade representative in Copenhagen. Nilsen and Sons is interested in a tie-up with a Philippine firm under which the former will provide the technical knowhow as well as the plant facilities while the local partner will provide the labor and raw materials. The firm wants to fabricate in the Philippines major components of office, school, hotel and factory buildings, including walls, roofs, beams, rafters, floors, and others.
BOARD of Investments announced it is closely evaluating a P40.1 million expansion project of the Philippine Wallboard Corporation under the Investment Incentives Act. The project will give additional employment to 305 persons. The expansion program is also expected to boost by P1.9 million the firm’s annual P4.6 million it is earning annually. The proposed plant is scheduled to start operation by the middle of 1976 at 40 per cent capacity. It will be gradually increased to 83 per cent in 1978 and finally to 100 per cent in 1979. Should the BOI establish the firm’s financial, marketing and technical viability, it will be given additional incentives provided by the Investment Incentives Act, among which are: the accelerated depreciation, tax-free importation of capital equipment, net operating loss carry-over and stocks credit on domestic capital equipment.
ACTING SECRETARY of Agriculture Jose D. Drilon Jr. stated that the scientific community and the mass media should bridge the communication gap between them to facilitate the flow of scientific information for agricultural development. He made the statement in a speech before the information workshop of the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research in Baguio City. In this connection, he suggested that scientists should “get down from the ivory tower” and explain to media what they are doing. Media, he explained, should reciprocate by reporting not only sensational scientific stories but also newsworthy highly technical works.” He also recommended that media should employ people with scientific background or offer them the privilege to build up knowledge of and facility with scientific information.
PANAMIN Foundation Inc. fund campaign for national minorities has been extended up to December 31, 1973. The President, through Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, issued Proclamation No. 1145further extending the national educational fund campaign of the Panamin until December 31, 1973. The extension of the fund drive is expected to help raise funds needed to carry out various Panamin humanitarian projects for the minorities who comprise 12 per cent of the national population.
BUREAU of Plant Industry will conduct every month a 10-day course on the culture of mushroom starting in July. BPI Director Eliseo G. Carandang said the course is being offered in response to requests of the growing number of mushroom growers. He emphasized that the course will help mushroom growers develop a potent and viable industry. Aside from mushroom culture, the course will also include the preparation of media for spawn-growing and mushroom preservation by canning, bottling and air-drying. The course is offered free and is open to all interested parties. Classes will be held at the BPI mushroom laboratory and at the bureau’s laboratory services division. Prospective trainees may apply for admission at either office on San Andres st., Malate, Manila.
[Peter] Tchaikovsky, 1st Concert, C Minor and [Sergei] Rachmaninoff Concert No. 2, B-flat Minor and encore of [Robert] Schumann’s Love, his gift to his wife on their wedding.
Indescribably beautiful. Even the symphony orchestra performed marvelously.
Standing ovation.
We hit rough seas (swells and waves as well as the current of the North Channel of the Manila Bay entrance). Could not disembark in Talaga. So docked at Baseco [Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Co., Inc.] at Mariveles, then motored to the Bataan beach house for rest.
Pelota and swimming with Harvey Sharfman Pocholo and Ricky.
Van says lovingly he had hideous memories of the Titanic and he clutched his most prized possessions, his International Artists’ medal and citation, and the leg of beef in his room, ready to give morsels to those survivors who may be swimming close to him.