Official Gazette for July 30, 1973: THE PRESIDENT conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor, degree of commander, on General Lai Ming-tang, for meritorious and valuable services rendered to the Republic of the Philippines. General Lai, who was an official guest of the Philippine government, is the chief of the general staff, Ministry of National Defense, Republic of China. The President pointed out that because of General Lai’s contributions to Philippine security, the general has not only endeared himself to the Filipino people but also helped strengthen the existing bonds of friendship and cooperation between his country and the Philippines. In accepting the award, General Lai pledged to continue helping strengthen the cooperation between his country’s armed forces and the AFP.
THE PRESIDENT reasserted his policy of concentrating the limited resources of the government on priority projects that would contribute directly to the economic development of the country. The occasion was the send-off luncheon given by the President and the First Lady at Malacañang, honoring members of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy Mission of the International Labor Organization, which spent two months here reviewing and reassessing the Philippine economy from the standpoint of employment and development. In behalf of the Filipino people, the President thanked the mission for helping pinpoint “where our orientation was wrong, where our efforts had failed,” and to assist the country, “build a strong, viable and independent society.”
HEALTH authorities announced that 27 government physicians with various specialties like pediatrics, traumatology, radiology, and surgery are now training at different hospitals in Manila and the Southern Islands Hospital in Cebu City. Secretary of Health Clemente S. Gatmaitan said that this scheduled training is part of the continuing program for training of the different categories and specialties of health department personnel. The hospital training centers are the Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital, National Children’s Hospital, National Orthopedic Hospital, Rizal Provincial Hospital, and Southern Islands Hospital.
THE PHILIPPINES has been selected as the official base of operations of the Tasking group of companies, one of Hongkong’s biggest industrial aggrupations. .Among the latest international corporations moving their headquarters from the Crown Colony to the Philippines, the group will go into other investment projects aside from the manufacture of golf clubs, hardware tools, padlocks, bicycles and parts and strollers for children. The transfer was announced by Secretary of Trade Troadio T. Quiazon Jr., following an official report from a Filipino businessman, who will go on a joint partnership with the Hongkong multinational.
Official Gazette for July 31, 1973: THE PRESIDENT approved for implementation the second study of the United Nations Development Programme and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the establishment of the first nuclear-powered plant in the Philippines. The study envisions a 600 megawatt nuclear plant which will cost about S250 million to construct over a nine-year period. The President directed the government officials concerned to get together with the secretary of finance in order to look for funding, and also to conduct further feasibility studies in comparison with hydroelectric or geothermal powered plants of similar size.
THE PRESIDENT issued a decree creating the PEFTOK Investment and Development Corp. and allocating the P2.2 million appropriated by past Congresses for the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea but which remained intact in the national treasury. In creating the PEFTOK firm and authorizing it to use the fund for economic activity, the President defined the government policy of extending to the veterans not only promises or ribbons and medals but also means to improve their condition in life. In organizing the PEFTOK Investment and Development Corp., the PEFTOK Board of Directors hopes to embark on various projects with emphasis on housing.
THE PRESIDENT received Mohammed Isnaeni, deputy speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, who made a courtesy call at Malacañang shortly before leaving for Jakarta. Mr. Isnaeni congratulated the President for his efforts to push through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Indonesia and the Philippines are members, together with Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Mr. Isnaeni said that he was very much impressed by the changes in the Philippines in contrast to what he observed in Hongkong. The President said Indonesia and the Philippines are moving forward but that Indonesia is still the base and anchor of Southeast Asia.
I have been spending most of my time on the new directions and programs that would meet the hopes of the people who have given me their trust in the referendum.
Monday was spent principally with the mission of Dr. Gustav Ranis here from ILO on a Comprehensive Survey on Employment and Development.
They confirm the need for small and medium scale industries—for exports in the countryside to absorb the unemployed, discourage the barrio people from going to the cities, and increase our exports and corresponding foreign exchange earnings.
Tuesday I spent principally in the conference on this program, the surrender of the Higaonon datus, directing the putting up of an atomic electric power plant of 600,000 km at a cost of $250,000.
And tourism.