Spent the whole morning with Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile on the problems of the military:
Official Gazette for August 1, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has empowered military commissions and provost courts with jurisdiction to try military personnel for military offenses in violation of the Articles of War. The President noted in Decree 255 that the rules governing the creation, composition, jurisdiction, procedure and other matters relevant to military tribunals promulgated pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 39 dated November 7, 1972, did not confer on military commissions and provost courts the jurisdiction to try military personnel for strictly military offenses in violation of Articles of War. To expedite the disposition of such offenses, the Chief Executive directed in Presidential Decree No. 255 that the military commissions and provost courts referred to in Presidential Decree No. 39 be conferred the jurisdiction to try and dispose of these offenses.
THE PRESIDENT appealed to fugitives to return to their homes and live a life of peace to help build a New Society. The President made the appeal through four Higaon-on datus and their followers who had earlier surrendered to the authorities and called at Malacañang to pledge their loyalty and their help in maintaining peace and order. The President assured them that “we will give them some sources of livelihood and protect their rights against the encroachment of rapacious people who will only utilize or exploit them.”
THE PRESIDENT directed all Cabinet members and heads of government agencies directly under his office to submit in the forth-coming Cabinet meeting fresh ideas on how to meet “our new responsibilities to the people.” The President issued the directive during his one-hour meeting with his fiscal and economic advisers, in anticipation of the results of the referendum which indicate a new mandate for the present administration.
DEPARTMENT of Labor and National Manpower Youth Council officials were directed to redesign their policies and programs to dovetail into the President’s priority program for the maximum development of small-scale industries. Labor Secretary Blas F. Ople, who issued the directive said these programs mean the systematic training of small entrepreneurs, more adaptive vocational training support for small firms, particularly those in the rural areas, and a strong public employment service to facilitate the matching of men and jobs.
CAMP CRAME extended up to September 21, 1973 the deadline for the renewal of all firearms licenses, certificates of registration and special permits. Col. Alfonso Trance, firearms and explosive unit chief, said the grace period was approved by the PC chief to those firearms holders who failed to beat the previous deadline.
PHILIPPINE Medical Care Commission has directed the health department to adopt a more effective information drive on the guidelines involving the charging of excessive professional fees from medicare patients by government hospitals and physicians. The PMCC’s move came following reports that certain government doctors have continued billing their medicare patients exhorbitant rates. Dr. Pacifico E. Marcos, PMCC chairman, said that government physicians are prohibited from engaging in private practice as they are full time government employes.
DEPARTMENT of Trade assured full assistance to the development of the clothing industry to generate more employment and maximize its foreign exchange earnings capability. Secretary of Trade Troadio T. Quiazon Jr., said government agencies entrusted with the development of the economy are coordinating their policies and activities to promote the garment industry. He made the statement during an induction dinner of the Philippine Association of Embroidery and Apparel Exporters Inc. Secretary Quiazon said the Department of Trade has recommended several measures, among which is the grant of preferential interest rates on loans with which to procure local or imported raw materials used in the processing of exportable products. He also urged S for capital investments, including machinery and equipment for new or expanded export products and the relaxation of the surety requirements in the sense that they should be based on export performance and not on every shipment.
BUREAU of Plant Industry reported that ginger (luya), a spice used not only for flavoring food but also in the preparation of confectionary, beverage, perfume, and also in medicine, has been found to be a dollar-earning industry. From a mere S4,190.00 export earnings from 19,007 kg. shipped to Hongkong and Canada in 1970, the figure soared to 1,111,500 kg. valued at S109,006,00 in 1972. In local markets, a kilo of ginger costs as much as P4.50.