The weather is much better. Slight rain and the flood in Tarlac up north have reached.
Played golf in the mud. Caught the sniffles. And attended to all the interviews.
MacArthur of the Los Angeles Times, (he took the place of Jack Fosie), Arthur Zaih of Newsweek and Leon Daniels of UPI [United Press International].
Official Gazette for August 19, 1974: THE PRESIDENT had issued a decree limiting the amount of increase in the assessed valuation of real property which in effect will greatly reduce the tax liability of real property owners. Presidential Decree No. 532 cushions the impact of the recent sharp upward valuations of real properties, which in some cases have tripled or even guadrupled the 1973 tax levies on land. The decree provides that “increases in the assessed valuation of real property shall be gradual from 1974 to 1977 and in no case shall the increase in any year be more than 100 percent” of the 1973 assessed valuation.
THE PRESIDENT urged all barangays to involve themselves in the relief and rehabilitation efforts on behalf of the flood sufferers. He said that while the government has mobilized all its agencies for the extension of relief aid and the rehabilitation of damaged crops and infrastructures, there are many number of ways by which the barangays could help in alleviating the sufferings of the flood victims and in speeding up rehabilitation and reconstruction work.
NATIONAL Grains Authority assured the public that the country’s rice supply is sufficient to meet the needs of the entire populace. NGA Administrator Jesus Tanchanco said that the rams and floods did not cause any damage to the government rice stored in NGA warehouses in Central Luzon and the Greater Manila area. He also said that there are good harvests from the Visayas and Mindanao. According to Administrator Tanchanco Japan, China and Thailand have also made commitments for a total of 50,000 metric tons of rice for the Philippines.
BUDGET Commission said that national government employes who were granted a 10 percent salary increase based on their basic pay as of June 30 are still entitled to an emergency living allowance of P50 if their salaries or wages were less than P600 before the increase was implemented. Budget Commissioner Faustino Sychangco, who issued the clarification, said that Budget Circular No. 240 provides that notwithstanding the 10 percent across-the-board salary increase, the emergency cost of living allowance under Budget Circular No. 238 and 238-A dated February 18 and April 30, respectively, will be continued.”
DEPARTMENT of Education and Culture announced that schools found violating rules on state scholarship programs shall face either blacklisting or revocation of permits to operate, or both. DEC Chairman of State Scholarship Council Pablo Mateo issued the warning amid reports that some schools where state scholars are enrolled allow grantees to enrol in higher courses without the necessary prerequisites to the course. One school for example allows grantees to take up English 3 ahead of English 1 and even reports passing grades instead of failing marks to the Bureau of Private Schools. Chairman Mateo said schools deliberately and consistently committing such violations will be blacklisted from among institutions state scholars can enrol, as well as face other appropriate measures which the bureau will take against them.
GOVERNMENT’S vegetable and bean production program exceeded its target production for the last fiscal year by producing 864,188, metric tons of various vegetables and beans, the Bureau of Plant Industry announced. BP1 Director Bernardo S. Castillo said this represented a 2.9 percent accomplishment of the target production which was 839,823 metric tons. In terms of hectarage, he said the program also exceeded the target area of 80,144 hectares by planting a total of 97,847 hectares, representing a 122.1 percent accomplishment. The program implemented in 21 priority provinces and one city, is aimed at increasing the country’s produce by extending to farmers the scientific methods of production. The program also undertakes a nationwide equitable distribution of quality seeds and planting materials and extends to farmers technical assistance on the control of plant pests and diseases and on the proper use of fertilizers.
On the question of how the reforms that I have started which will take generations to accomplish can be accomplished and how I hope to reconcile the pervasive sentiments of utang na loob and compadrazco which oppose the sentiments of nationhood or noncorruption.
So I spoke of generating and maintaining the passion we feel for our country and one nation.
So the need for national identity which will keep our passion for the national good aflame even when I am gone.
Thus the search for national identity a search that will move our people together.
So the observance with culture, tradition, history, the tracing of our ancient roots of origin—the barangays that originated our tribes and towns.
Not just the national identity search that reflects the guilty conscience of those elite Filipinos who have acquired a western manner and lost their roots. But the search for self by the common man—by all.
And so folk arts—and the ancient traditions. Common perhaps. But ours.
And a cause of national pride and dignity. For it is Philippine.
Succession—was the common question.
If anything untoward happens to me, then there would be a state of emergency—a council would take over pending a choice by the legislative council or election by the barangays of the permanent leader.
The military leaders have agreed to this.
[Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] and [Jose] Diokno—cases pending in the Supreme Court.
The Mindanao situation.