6th Inauguration of the PC [Philippine Constabulary]—Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] at Camp Crame. I explained the need of consulting with the people periodically. And the country faces many historic decisions—when these decisions are made, there must be no doubt about the support by the people of such decisions.
The Metrocom commander, Gen. Alfredo Montoya, I revealed, was one of those of the military (among them the major service commanders and Intelligence) who was consulted on the need for the proclamation of martial law. And the plan of neutralizing the subversives in the
Official Gazette for July 11, 1973: THE PRESIDENT called upon the people, from 15 years old up, to speak freely and courageously through the Barangays in the July 27 referendum. In issuing his call, the Chief Executive asked the people to engage in serious and careful soul-searching before coming to the polls, so that they may have a full grasp of the issue presented to them. Speaking at the sixth anniversary celebration of the Philippine Constabulary Command (Metrocom) at Camp Crame, the President said that under the law it is compulsory on the part of all the qualified citizenry not only to register but also to vote. Underscoring the importance of the July 27 referendum, the President said: “We approach the crossroads come July 27, and we shall pause to ask ourselves whether we shall speed forward with mighty steps or whether we shall return to where we came from.”
SECRETARY of Information Francisco S. Tatad said there is need for a stronger communication effort in the rural areas even as he pointed out that there is no media censorship in the country. Speaking before the Philippine Federation of Catholic Broadcasters at the Xavier House, Herran Street, Manila, the secretary pointed out that if the reform measures under the New Society are going to have any meaning at all, the small man in the village must participate in the process of reformation. He said the only way to do this is to make the national public aware of what is happening to the small people in the rural areas. This cannot be achieved by enforcing a blackout on local news, according to the secretary. Secretary Tatad further assured that he will look into the problems encountered by rural broadcasters on the translation of local news into the local dialect, the lack of local news materials, and technical difficulties the broadcasters usually encounter.
PHILIPPINE Medical Care Commission (PMCC) added two more benefits to the present package of benefits for Medicare members and their legal dependents. Dr. Pacifico E. Marcos, PMCC chairman, said that in compliance with a directive of President Marcos to study the feasibility of helping further Medicare patients, the PMCC decided to include services for anesthesia and use of the operating room as among the compensable services under the Medicare program. The new benefits are: 1) Anesthesiologist’s fee: P25 for a minor operation, P50 for a medium operation, and P100 for a major operation; and 2) Operating room fee: P20 for a minor operation, P40 for a medium operation, and P60 for a major operation. These are to take effect on or after July 1, 1973. Dr. Marcos said that the directive of the President was prompted by requests brought to him for the coverage by the government health insurance funds of the other expenses attendant to surgical operations.
MEDICARE Chairman Pacifico E. Marcos allayed fears that the graduate nursing course would be phased out in favor of a four-year bachelor of science in nursing course and a two-year nursing assistant program. Dr. Marcos spoke at the induction of officers of the Association of Colleges and Schools of Nursing, Inc., at Hotel Intercontinental in Makati, Rizal. Dr. Marcos emphasized that if there has to be a change in nursing education, it should not involve a “phasing out” move but rather, an integration of ideas and systems that will improve both BSN and GN courses.
NATIONAL Economic and Development Authority authorized the government to incur loans totalling $29,300,000 from the Asian Development Bank. NEDA Director-General Gerardo P. Sicat said the loans will be utilized to finance specific projects for development. To be secured from the ADB is a $9.6 million loan for the Angat-Magat Integrated Development project in Bulacan. The project calls for the further development of the Angat water reservoir for consumption and irrigation purposes.
Great Manila area by arrest and detention was assigned to the Metrocom.
It becomes necessary to rewrite the initial chapters of my new book in view of the revelations of the captured enemy personnel:
- It is now confirmed that the M.V. [Motor Vessel] Karagatan went to Red China, loaded the guns (M-14’s), ammo, radio equipment, food supplies and other material for the communists in the Philippines. Captured crew members confirm this in sworn statements.
- The training in Isabela included men from all over the Philippines including Muslims.
- Documents captured in this last several months reveal the seriousness of the Mindanao and Sulu secessionist movement.
- The strange participation of Libya and Malaysia in the subversion in Mindanao and Sulu.