1:00 AM Sept. 29th
Official Gazette for September 27, 1973: THE PRESIDENT assured Filipino oldtimers in the United States who are willing to spend their here that they could acquire land under a Government policv which would grant them reacquired Philippine citizenship. The Chief Executive made the assurance in response to a proposal of an official of a US investment firm to establish a housing settlement here for Filipino oldtimers. The President said these old-timers-natural-born Filipinos who have acquired American citizenship—may avail themselves of the same rights as every Filipino in the acquisition and ownership of land once they reacquired Philippine citizenship.
DEPARTMENT of Finance authorized provincial and municipal governments to collect all amusement taxes starting October 1. The transfer to local governments of authority to collect amusement taxes is contained in Presidential Decree No. 231 or Local Tax Code. Amusement tax on admission is collected from proprietors, lessees or operators of theaters, cinematographs, concert halls, circuses and other places of amusement.
THE PRESIDENT has authorized the creation of a Philippine House at the world-famed Las Vegas Strip in Nevada to serve as the Center for the promotion of Philippine trade and tourism. The Nevada Philippine House will be the latest addition to the growing chain of Philippine Houses in important centers of the world. The House will be established by the Department of Trade in collaboration with the Filipino Trade Corporation, a 100 per cent Filipino firm. Earlier, the President had authorized the establishment of Philippine Houses in Singapore, Frankfurt, Tokyo, San Francisco, Sydney (Australia) and Toronto (Canada).
SOCIAL Security System announced that effective January 1974 it will require all employer to submit an, annual register containing a complete list of employes, elates of their employment and effective dates of then-separation from employment. This is in accordance with Section 24-D of Presidential Decree No. 24 providing for the compulsory submission of an annual register by all employers in the private sector. The SSS said this requirement is distinct from the existing provision on the employment records and reports in Section 21-A of the Social Security Law which requires each employer to immediately report to the SSS the names, ages, civil status, occupation, salaries and dependents of all his employes.
BUREAU of Lands has launched a nationwide campaign to distribute land patents to settlers with Mindanao as one of the principal target areas. Acting Lands Director Ramon N. Casanova has been assured by regional land directors that district land officers are now capable of processing and issuing patents for areas not exceeding five hectares. The drive will benefit occupant settlers on public lands which have been declared disposable for agricultural purposes. Under the program, the settlers who have developed portions of public lands not then open for disposition, may legalize their possession and be granted the necessary titles.
DEPARTMENT of Health has broadened its family planning and nutrition programs to complement the Government’s development efforts. Spelling out their urgent role in the building of the New Society, Health Secretary Clemente S. Gatmaitan said the department has decided to place priority on the family planning and nutrition programs since they are closely tied up with the Government’s development program. Speaking during-a symposium of the Philippine Public Health Association in Dagupan City, Secretary Gatmaitan said the family planning program is vital because of its inter-relationship with development efforts which could be hindered by the country’s tremendous population growth. He said the health department is also giving priority to nutrition program because it is closely linked with national growth progress.
Official Gazette for September 28, 1973: THE PRESIDENT ordered the military and provincial officials of Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat to extend all possible assistance for the rehabilitation of Muslim evacuees and surrendered outlaws. The Chief Executive directed the Special Presidential Assistance for Returning Evacuees (SPARE) to expedite the granting of loans to evacuees and surrenderees in the form of farm input and shelter provisions. The President issued the order alter he was informed by a group of surrendered outlaws led by Datu Abdullah Sangkil that Muslim outlaws are afraid to surrender because they have no assurance of protection and rehabilitation.
THE PRESIDENT has appropriated P500,000 as operation funds of the Task Force on Human Settlements which will conduct a study on the nature, policy issues and strategies related to a comprehensive and integrative human settlement program in the Philippines. Executive Order No. 419 which created the task force, pointed out that the benefits of national progress will be attained only if the accelerating growth of human settlements is directed and ordered towards meeting the requirements of national development in line with the objective of effecting social,
Thursday and Friday
Awarded Col. Arthur W. Wermuth the Distinguished Conduct Star (corresponding to his Distinguished Service Cross (U.S.)), the Wounded Personnel Medal (equivalent to the Purple Heart, U.S.) and the Philippine Defense and Liberation medals.
Today I received the surrender of Datu Abdullah Sangki of Ampatuan, Cotabato.
I have been able to convince him to use his sons to locate the firearms that Misuari and Datu Ali, the leaders of the “Revolutionary Movement” (rebels and secessionists) are preparing to rearm the Muslims by October.
This was first indicated by Gov. Tarhata Alonto Lucman of Lanao del Sur two months ago. They were again approached by the rebel leaders to join an “October general and massive attack.”
The penetration operation will be known only to Ex Cong. [Carmelo] Barbero, Gen. [Fidel] Ramos, Col. Siongco the Executive of Gen. [Fortunato] Abat and Gen Abat.
I have authorized dual citizenship for Filipinos who have acquired American citizenship.
We will now set aside the P100 million needed for the seed capital of the military pensioners.
And also set up a securities and investment for the officers and men of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines].
economic and political reforms.
SECRETARY of Justice Vicente Abad Santos opined that the $4.2 million loan agreement entered into by the Philippine government and the United States Agency for International Development to help finance the Tiwi geothermal project is valid and legal. Secretary Abad Santos rendered this opinion in compliance with a standard clause in the loan agreement requiring the borrower government’s secretary of justice to first declare the loan contract valid and legal before the amount is released by the lender government. The justice chief said that the legal authority for the Philippine government to contract the loan and relend its proceeds to the National Power Corporation is provided for in Republic Act 4860, as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 81 and 150. The loan will finance the foreign exchange costs of goods and services required for the NPC’s Tiwi geothermal project.
DEPARTMENT of Local Government and Community Development has listed 17 first class-A cities out of the country’s 61 chartered cities. The latest DLGCD statistics listed the following cities under the Class A bracket (cities whose incomes exceed those of other cities and are paying higher salaries to employes): Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Basilan, Batangas, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Davao, Iligan, Iloilo, Olongapo, Pasay, Tacloban, Toledo and Zamboanga. Manila and Quezon City are exempted from the classification having incomes which far exceed those of the first class-A cities. Eight cities were placed under the category of first class cities (annual incomes exceeding P1.5 million). These are Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cotabato, Dagupan, General Santos, Legazpi, San Carlos and San Pablo.
THE GOVERNMENT has set up 593 children’s centers in rural areas throughout the country to provide child care and pre-school training to thousands of barrio children. The children’s center not only nurture preschoolers for indigent rural families but also train countless mothers in bringing up children. At the helm of this project is the Bureau of Agricultural Extension, assisted by the rural health officer, the home management technician, rural health nurse and volunteer leaders.
Organize the Dept. of Industry and the Philippine International Trade Commission.
And systematize the setting up of processing plants for our wood resources all over the country.