Saturday
Left by helicopter from Clark Air Force Base at 10:30 and arrived at Lingayen at 11:10 AM. Left Manila by Fokker at about 9:00 AM for Basa Air Base, then to Clark by the same plane. Had to take the helicopter 303 piloted by Col. Lapeña and Maj. Reynoso because the landing field of Lingayen is not operational.
There are still stranded people in Eastern Pangasinan—Natividad, San Nicolas, San Manuel, Asingan and in Southern Pangasinan Bayambang, Alcala and Bautista.
Met Gov. [Aguedo] Agbayani and Bd. Members Vince and Rosario.
The DART (Disaster and Rescue Teams) headed by Col. King and the Liaison groups rescued 130 people in Bayambang. About 2,000 people are in need of help there.
Had to go back to Clark at 12:30 AM [sic] where I took a hamburger and back to Manila at 2:10 PM arriving after twenty minutes.
Press interview then slept at 4:00 to 5:30.
Exercised after interview by Richardson of The Age.
Going back to Pangasinan via Puro Pt. tomorrow.
7:10 PM Carmen, Rosales July 23, 1972[1]
Sunday
I have pitched camp in the PC [Philippine Constabulary] Provincial Command compound in Lingayen and marked it Malacañang in the Field. I intend to stay in this camp which will serve as my office and living quarters during the period of the emergency.
Malacañang has been converted into a hospital—not only Maharlika Hall but the Reception Hall in the palace proper.
Gov. [Aguedo] Agbayani wants to have the Malacañang in the Field at the gubernatorial mansion but it is a politician’s partisan home.
This morning we were morooned at Bo. [Barrio] San Vicente, San Manuel up to 1:00 PM by a driving rain and gusty winds.
I had taken the Fokker to San Fernando, La Union, taking the helicopter (303 Huey piloted by Col. Lapeña and Maj. Reynoso) from San Fernando, La Union direct to Carmen, Rosales where we picked up Cong. [Roberto] Bobby Estrella.
When we did get the supply of goods by the other helicopter from Rosales, the second helicopter was immobilized.
In San Vicente, San Manuel I met the cousin of Atty. Bravo of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. He is the Capitan del Barrio—Pablo Lorian.
And the sister of Ciriaco Abalos, the Wack Wack attendant whose son I appointed municipal judge in Mandaluyong.
The pictures taken in that barrio will show me sleeping in one of the bamboo beds of the evacuees in the school house.
We passed Sta. Ana, Tayug, another isolated barrio where we left about 150 bags of Imelda’s relief goods. Each bag has some rice, clothes, medicines, biscuits and canned goods.
The barrio is under the influence of the Gozuns. The old man of the family died leaving Atty. Innocencio Gozun. I have received all the votes of the barrio and my opponent 0 in my elections for President.
After lunch at the house of [Conrado] Condring Estrella at Carmen, Rosales, I took a 20 minute nap and then visited Alcala, Bautista and Dagupan.
The people, even in Dagupan City where the newspapers lambast me endlessly, met me deliriously happy, running to shake my hand or kiss it and smiling as well as giving welcome and thanks for my visit.
Exhilarating. I feel light and carefree—achieving. So different from tension-packed Manila.
12:00 PM July 24, 1972[2]
Monday
I have ordered an inventory of all rice stocks in Central Luzon. There are more than is reported. There is hoarding and artificial shortage.
We will seal and seize these stocks if needed for seedlings and for the consumption of the flood victims.
Worked at the Malacañang in the Field after lunch.
At 8:00 AM I went to San Quintin, Natividad and San Nicolas. Mayors Tecson, Arciaga and Abad were there.
Reviewed ties with the veterans who were with me during the war, specially at Natividad where the mayor’s husband Dr. Arciaga had led the party of Sgts. [Fortunato] Abat (now Third Brigade Commander and a General). ______ and a native guide led me and Sgt. Isidro Ventura to Val Valdez from Bachelor to Nungan to Pingkian then to Ambaguio the 14th Regimental CP.
Also met the widow of Sgt. Patricio Domingo.
Visited some barrios in San Nicolas, as well as Tayug but had to hurry back to Carmen because of the rain.
Intermittent rain and gusty winds with Signal No. 2 in Northern Luzon and No. 1 in Manila.
Issued the directives for replanting.
The Civil Defense Adm. updating of plans against calamities.
The plans if there are more calamities—we would have to cut out some expenditures like increase in salaries, non-urgent development projects etc.
The House, according to a radio message from Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal has approved unanimously the P500 million Calamity Bill at 2030 hrs. I sent congratulations to all congressmen.
Sent a message to Bongbong as I may not be able to fly to Manila early because of the weather.
The long distance phone is out. Radio is not clear. We must put up at CW always.
12:30 PM July 25, 1972[3]
Tuesday
Bongbong was operated on successfully this morning 8:10 AM to 8:30 AM by Dr. Ariston Bautista—tonsillectomy. I called up at 10:30 AM and Imelda told me he was sleeping although he had awakened before that.
Tonight he was suffering spasmodic pains.
Raining hard and Signal No. 2 is still up in Northern Luzon and No. 1 in Manila. So I was not allowed to fly to Manila.
Still raining up to now but I have planned to go back to Poro Pt. by heli at 6:00 AM then fly to Manila by Fokker tomorrow.
I have to see Bongbong and work out the compromises on the calamity and the budget, public works bull, tax measures, PNB [Philippine National Bank] and finalize the repair and rehabilitation plans.
Flew by heli to Lingayen with Tom Niblack. Then worked the mission orders for the helis. Met the British officers on the frigate HMS-Lincoln.
I attach reports. I also attach Chronicle story of NPAs [New People’s Army] in Cam[arines] Sur I came across today in today’s Bulletin.
12:00 PM July 26, 1972[4]
Wednesday
Still raining and gusty but came to Manila. Heli from Carmen to Poro Pt. 7:50 AM – 8:30 AM. Then by Fokker from 8:40 AM to 9:20 AM. We had to fly at higher than 11,000 ft. But still bumpy and limited visibility.
Nichols Air Base smells (reeks!! is the proper word) of dried fish—“Toyo” or “Daing”—the kind that you can smell a mile away.
Imelda proudly showed me the operations there.
Then to the Makati Medical Center to see Bongbong who can now talk a little. Next to the conference with Congressional leaders and cabinet.
First the two chairmen, Sen. Lorenzo Teves and Cong. Jose Alberto—on the Calamity Bill (which will now be cut down to P300,000,000 but P200 million from savings. All under my control.
I can then dispense with the power of transfer in the budget except for calamity and contingencies.
One package for the World Bank and Consultative Group—of repair and rehabilitation of infrastructure.
Then replacement of crops and animals. After the roads and bridges are repaired—or simultaneously.
100,000 cavans of rice seeds—P40 million worth—for 100,000 hectares.
Credit for farmers and fishpond owners.
New sources of employment.
12:00 PM July 27, 1972[5]
Thursday
Had to stay in Manila because of the request of the Congressional leaders to help out in the passage of the calamity bill, the budget, public works bill, tax measures etc. Today is the last day of session.
But Imelda went to Clark Air Force Base, then by truck to Tarlac, then by helicopter to Paniqui, Pampanga and Bulacan.
Bad weather—rain and gusty winds.
We lost one Albatross off Tondo in Islang Puting Bato. One engine went dead after taking off from Sangley for Clark on an administrative flight (part of the First Lady’s group) made an emergency landing on the rough sea along the Tondo shoreline successfully but busted the pontoons and the nose of the fuselage. Sunk in 15 minutes. The passengers, mostly pilots were saved. Only one confirmed casualty, Corp. Saavedra PA [Philippine Army] who jumped out of the plane and swam away from the rescuing boats.
TV—Vigillantes in the morning. Then worked on the Rehabilitation program.
Legislative problems.
Met Sec. Ponce Enrile, Gen. [Romeo] Espino, [Fidel] Ramos and [Ignacio] Paz.
Gen. Paz has a theory the guns in Diguyo, Palanan may have been given by the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] to the NPA [New People’s Army] not to destroy me and the Republic but to make us depend on the USA. The bullets are supposed to destroy the barrels of the guns after a while. Too ridiculous and far fetched.
I do not buy it. But even if they did, they would now be pulling out of such a plot. So we must give them a graceful way out.
I attach a report of Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile on info given by Ninoy [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.].
I have called Congress to another special session—the third. They have not passed the budget and the tax measures among others.
8:10 PM July 28, 1972[6]
Friday
Took over operational control of the Dept. of Public Works as well as Agriculture. This is necessary to expedite the reconstruction and rehabilitation work.
Met both departments with their personnel at 5:00-7:00 PM.
Worked out the priorities of work and expenditures.
In flood control: In Manila the esteros which service 80% of the need is still first priority. In Central Luzon it is the Apalit part of the dike on t11e Bulacan River.
Then the Rio Chico dikes and continuation of the dikes of the Agno, Tarlac River and the Bulacan River—as well as the Labangan Channel.
Tomorrow at 4:00 AM, the Com. on Highways will start working on a massive scale on the Manila streets starting with P. Burgos. We are going to employ many units of heavy equipment.
Went to Bulacan by jeep—Malolos, Paombong, Hagonoy then to the Prov. Capital.
1:30 AM July 29, 1972[7]
July 30th Saturday
Rested the whole day as I was beginning to feel the symptoms of the flu.
But worked on the pending papers. Sent Sec. [Alejandro] Alex Melchor [Jr.] and Dir. [Alejandro] Deleña by helicopter to Central Luzon for a survey as the waters have risen higher than last week.
Apalit Dam has broken. Lingayen and Rosales are again under water. The only helicopter in Carmen made 48 sorties to save about 400 people. Piloted by Cols. Lupnet and Ratcliffe.
Greg Cendeña wired that 100 people are floating in a raft of Bo. [Barrio] Subol, San Nicolas, Pangasinan.
5,000 sandbags have been used to strengthen the Tarlac Dam.
And it has started to rain in Pangasinan again according to Jake Clave and [Roberto] Bobby Estrella. ·
I attach reports.
10:00 PM July 30, 1972[8]
Sunday
Helicoptered at noon to survey flooded areas including Laguna de Bay.
Central Luzon water still rising. With 100% run-off because of saturation of the forest water sheds, the flood may go higher.
Two days ago the highest was 10 meters 40 cms. in Arayat now 9 meters 80 cms. In Apalit, highest was 5 m 30 cms. Now it is 4 m 80 cms.
Dikes holding on but have to be sandbagged and guarded 24 hours.
In Tarlac-Paniqui, the points in danger are Villapaz 16 kms from Tarlac, Tagumbao, 16 kms and Bacolor 18 kms. 5,000 sandbags already put in.
In Apalit 5,000 empty bags available.
San Miguel current created by the break in the Armenia dike has to be rechannelled to the Tarlac River by hand labor of sandbagging at P800 a day.
A U.S. Marine Helicopter (a CH-53 Stallion) assigned to Marine Medium Heli Squadron 165 made an emergency landing in Dagupan due to mechanical malfunction. A small boy was injured. He was a bystander in the gasoline station where the heli landed. The pilots suffered minor injuries and have been airlifted by a PAF [Philippine Air Force] helicopter to Clark Air Force Base.
This is the second aircraft lost. So we must now keep more careful maintenance check every 20 hours instead of 25 hours.
Our helicopter was forced back this noon from Central Luzon because of some malfunction.
10:25 PM July 31, 1972[9]
Monday
The stolen Sto. Niño of Tondo was found today by Imelda through Lulu Tinio, [Eleuterio] Teyet Pascual.
One of the robbers, (a tough known killer and one of the Parungao brothers from Macabebe, Pampanga) had offered the head, hands and feet of the Sto. Niño to Dr. Teyet Pascual’s manager, Tammy ______, also of Cavite for P2,800. Tammy then called Lulu Tinio who asked Imelda to go and see the specimens for sale.
The bishop and father (Bishop Paulino ______ and Father Lorenzo Egos, parish priest of Tondo) identified the specimens at about 7:00 PM first in the reception hall, then in the Music Room.
Shades of Lourdes and Father Pio!!—the people of Cavite talk of a crab found in the province with the image of the lost Sto. Niño in the inside of the crab shell. Paeng Yabut picked this up in his radio commentary and appealed for the return of the Sto. Niño.
So does Mayor [Ramon] Bagatsing [Sr.] who strongly feels with some people that the loss of the Sto. Niño of Tondo is the cause of the floods and rain.
The flood waters are apparently higher now than last week. This seems to be the height of the crisis although the Weather Bureau predicts continuous rains for the next several days.
The national highway going north (Route 3) is cut in several places—Apalit and Kalumpit, San Miguel, Tarlac, San Fernando, Pampanga, Gerona, Tarlac, Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan, Bued River Bridge (boundary of Pangasinan and La Union), Balaoan, La Union, Sta. Cruz Bridge, Ilocos Sur etc.
And the Angat Dam will have to spill some water tonight. This would be at the rate of 8,000 cubic meters per second. This will farther raise the water level in the Candaba area.
The dikes are holding but are endangered because of the increased velocity of the water. Our Navy LCM’s [landing craft mechanized] and LCVP’s [landing craft, vehicle, personnel] cannot go up to Apalit because of the current. We will try lifting thru by helicopter (Jolly Green Giant) tomorrow.
More deaths in Baguio and from disease.
[1] Official Gazette for July 23, 1972: THE PRESIDENT and the First Lady, for the third consecutive day took personal charge of operations to speed up the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims in Central Luzon. The President, accompanied by Secretary of Health Clemente Gatmaitan, Reps. Jose D. Aspiras and Joaquin Ortega, and Presidential Executive Assistant Jacobo C. Clave flew to Poro Point, San Fernando; La Union aboard the Presidential Fokker plane at 9 o’clock a.m. The President conferred with local officials, including Governors Juvenal K. Guerrero of La Union and Ben Palispis of Benguet, and Mayor Luis Lardizabal of Baguio City. After the conference, the President boarded a helicopter and flew low over inundated sections of southern La Union and eastern Pangasinan, landing at Carmen, Pangasinan where he has met by Rep. Roberto Estrella who accompanied him during the resumption of the aerial survey. The President was gratified to note during the survey that a number of farmers, already were replanting the rice fields, some of which were still under water. Upon being informed that no relief goods have reached the barrio, the President sent back his helicopter to Carmen to pick up two truck-loads of relief supplies waiting to be transported to San Manuel. From there, the President flew to Santa Ana, Tayug, where again he distributed relief goods. The President had lunch at Carmen. Upon the request of Rep. Estrella, the President directed Secretary Gatmaitan to send two medical teams to eastern Pangasinan. Other teams were also dispatched to other places. Following the survey, the President announced that he was establishing a regional Malacañang office in the province, preferably in Dagupan City or Lingayen in view of the widespread destruction of houses and buildings in the area. The President said he would hold office there for the duration of the emergency. The President ordered the Constabulary to pitch tent in the PC compound for his office and living quarters.
[2] Official Gazette for July 24, 1972: THE PRESIDENT decided to stay at the Malacañang field office in Lingayen, Pangasinan for the duration of the emergency to better supervise the relief and rescue operation. The President made this decision because of the tendency of relief and rescue operations to slow down after floods have receded. The Chief Executive started personally going on helicopter missions to isolated areas of Eastern Pangasinan as early as 6:30 a.m. After returning to the Magiliw guesthouse in Carmen for lunch, he directed: 1) Health Secrtary Clemente Gatmaitan to set up medical centers in San Nicolas, Tayug, Urdaneta and Asingan; 2) The PC provincial commanders, in coordination with local executives,’ to start making, inventories of rice stocks and other goods in the affected provinces and to procure them under his proclamation, properly receipted by the provincial governor or city mayor, the PC provincial commander and the provincial or city auditor, to be paid later on by government at prices fixed by the Price Control Council. The President visited and distributed relief goods in barrios Fubol, Kalanapian, and San Rafael in San Nicolas, where he also had a reunion with his wartime comrades who had operated in the area with him during the war years.
[3] Official Gazette for July 25, 1972: THE PRESIDENT, having established himself in his Malacañang in the Field office at the Philippine Constabulary compound in Lingayen, asked all government officials and personnel involved to temporarily leave their offices in Manila and go out to the disaster areas in order to break down “red tape” in distributing relief to the victims. He also invited private sectors willing to help, as well as those actually giving private donations, to go to the field and minister to the needs of the victims. The President said that since setting up his field office in Pangasinan, he has been able to get a comprehensive and immediate view of the actual needs of the victims. As well as relief and rehabilitation of victims, the President indicated two priorities in the efforts of government, namely, roads and transport; and rehabilitation of crops. The President said he was watching the danger signs of a possible rice scarcity because the people who fought for the relief packages indicated that there was hunger. “We can imagine what might happen if agents provocateur should start propagating dangerous ideas in the event that unrelieved hunger sets in,” the President said. He: 1) Directed the government agencies involved in rehabilitation to continue fielding teams in the flood areas. 2) Requested the Department of Health to procure several million pesos worth of medicine for the intensified mass inoculation drive to avert possible epidemics. 3) Appealed for volunteers from the Philippine Medical Association. He likewise directed the Agricultural Productivity Commission, the Agriculture Credit Administration, the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Presidential Assistant on Community Development and the National Food and Agriculture Council to go to the field instead of staying in Manila where “you are so removed and detached from what is actually happening.” The President instructed Health Secretary Clemente Gatmaitan to return to Manila immediately to procure more medicine for the inoculation drive. The President appealed to the private sector, particularly to the members of the Philippine Medical Association, to organize volunteer teams and come out to the barrios to help the people. He deplored the “bureaucratic red tape which had completely disorganized some of our efforts at rescue and relief.” From his temporary field office in Lingayen, the President appealed to the Senate to pass the ₱500 million contingent fund approved by the House in view of the updated and considerably increased estimates of damages wrought by the flood in central and northern Luzon. The President also appealed to the Senate to approve the Public Works Bill in order to provide counterpart funds for foreign loans that may be negotiated for the massive rehabilitation to be undertaken in this area. Among other actions, the President issued a series of directives in connection with the rehabilitation of Central and Northern Luzon provinces. He ordered Finance Secretary Cesar E. A. Virata to immediately make the necessary representations with the World Bank for the early reconvening of the Consultative Group for the Philippines, with a program for the rehabilitation of the devastated areas in Central Luzon as the main item on the agenda. He directed Public Works Secretary David Consunji to immediately: 1) Procure bailey bridges as temporary replacements of all damaged bridges in the devastated areas; 2) Determine the amount needed for rehabilitation and repair of infrastructure; and 3) Convene all landowners of the areas to be occupied by the Labangan Channel so that the government can immediately acquire the right of way for this channel passing through Bulacan and Pampanga. The President also directed Agriculture Secretary Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. to immediately: 1) Procure 100,000 cavans of rice seedlings, preferably the IR-21 variety; 2) Send survey teams to the flood affected provinces, including Nueva Ecija, to find out whether said rice seedlings could be procured in said provinces; and 3) Conduct an inventory of vegetable seedlings. The President ordered Secretary Tanco to report on the action taken within 72 hours. While personally supervising relief and rescue operations, the President was informed that Ferdinand Jr. (Bongborg) had undergone a successful tonsillectomy. He promptly congratulated his son.
[4] Official Gazette for July 26, 1972: THE PRESIDENT flew back to Manila in the morning to visit his son Bongbong who underwent tonsilectomy, and to meet with his Cabinet on the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government. The President landed at Nichols Air Base shortly after 8am He motored direct to the Makati Medical Center to visit his son and to preside over the Cabinet meeting, held at the hospital conference room. During the meeting, the President, among others, called for a new policy on the exportation of logs as part of a reinvigorated approach to forest conservation and flood prevention. He asked the National Economic Council, Presidential Economic Staff, Department of Finance to evolve a policy which will not hurt us too much on our dollar earnings, but which will prevent loggers from denuding our forests.” Among those who attended were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretaries Carlos P. Romulo of foreign affairs Cesar PA Virata of finance, David M. Consunji of public works and communications, Juan Ponce Enrile of Defense, Arturo R. Tanco, Jr of Agriculture, Estefama Aldaba Lim of social welfare, Clemente Gatmaitan, of health, Narciso Albarracin of education, Rosendo Tarquez of the presidential arm on community development; Chairmen Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic Council Vicente Faterno of the Board of Investments, Eliseo Villamor of the See and Corn Administration; Commissioners Faustino Sy-Chaneco of the budget, Francisco Saguiguit of the Agricultural Productivity Commission, Baltazar Aquino of the Bureau of Public Highways; Deputy Commissioner Conrado Diaz of the Bureau of Internal Revenue; Also present were Sen. Lorenzo Teyes and Rep. Jose Alberto, chairmen of the Senate and House appropriations committees, respectively Governor Gregorio Licaros of the Central Bank, President Eusebio Villatuva of the Philippine National Bank, Manager Jose de Ocampo of Greater Manila Terminal Food Market, Director General Anolinario Orosa of the Presidential Economic Staff, Directors Carlos Leaño of the Infrastructure Operations Center and Eliseo Carandang of the Bureau of Plant Industry; Assistant Administrator Amado Lansang of the Agricultural Credit Administration, General Romeo Espino, AFP chief of staff; Mayors Ramon Bagatsing of Manila, Pablo Cuneta of Pasay and Nemesio Yabut of Makati. In the course of the day, the President created a Presidential Task Force on Rehabilitation Operations in view of the urgent need fn determine the extent of damages wrought by the recent natural calamities, as well as the financial and physical requirements for speedy and effective rehabilitation. Named to compose the task force were the Executive Secretary or his representative, as chairman; the Secretary of Public Works and Communications or his representative, vice-chairman; the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of National Defense, the Secretary of Social Welfare, the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Secretary of Health, or their representatives, members. In creating the Task Force, the President stressed that the circum stances demand monitoring, coordinated implementation timely and reliable reporting of rehabilitation and restoration efforts of both the private and public sector agencies and institutions at the highest level of responsibility and authority. He likewise underscored the immediate need to formulate a medium and long-range program strategy for the rehabilitation and restoration effort.
[5] Official Gazette for July 27, 1972: THE PRESIDENT issued Proclamation No. 1051 calling the Congress of the Philippines to an 8th special session, commencing immediately upon adjournment of the 7th special session, in order that urgent legislative measures could be acted upon. Legislative proposals certified by the President included those providing funds for an integrated flood control and drainage program for the Greater Manila area and public works projects in other cities and municipalities, as well as for the moderation of typhoons by reducing or minimizing their destructive intensity. Earlier in the day, the President, among others, directed the Bureau of Public Highways and the AFP Engineering Battalion to immediately repair national roads in Manila. The President issued the order even as he kept tabs of the flood situation and the relief and rescue operations in the flooded areas of Central Luzon and the Greater Manila area. Towards evening, the President received Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, General Romeo Espino, AFP chief of staff; and Brig. Gen. Ignacio Paz, chief of AFP intelligence, who reported on the capture by government troopers of five rocket launchers, seven rocket rounds and several firearms in an encounter with National People’s Army regulars in Palanan, Isabela. The President then motored to the studio of Channel 13 where he was interviewed on the relief and rehabilitation program of the government, including its financing.
[6] Official Gazette for July 28, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS took over the operational control of the Department of Public Works and Communications and the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources in view of the importance of the two departments in the rehabilitation efforts of the government. The President directed the Department of Public Works and Communications to conduct a survey of the damages caused by the series of typhoons and floods, and the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to procure at least 100,000 cavans of rice seeds from the south for distribution to the flood victims. The President also pressed for the immediate start of work on the Labangan Channel to provide an outlet for the floodwaters from Pampanga and Bulacan. Earlier in the day, the President conducted an ocular survey of the flood areas of Bulacan and, conferred with provincial and municipal officials at the provincial capitol. The President left Malacañang at 9 o’clock by jeep, taking Aurora Boulevard, then Highway 54, through the North Diversion, to Malolos, where he turned over truckloads of relief goods to Mrs. Purificacion Reyes, mayor of Malolos for distribution at the town plaza. From there, the President and his party, which included Rep. Teodulo Natividad and Gov. Ignacio Santiago, motored towards Hagonoy, passing by Paombong which was still in several feet of water. Also with the President were Highways District Engineer Felicisimo Ver and Public Works Engineer Jose Regalado. Upon reaching the Paombong municipal building, the Chief Executive again turned over to Mayor Jose de la Cruz and the barrio captains truckloads of relief goods intended for the town’s flood victims, and then motored to Hagonoy. After distributing some relief goods in Hagonoy, the President turned over the relief goods to Mayor Ermin Perez and then motored back to Malolos, proceeding directly to the provincial capitol for the conference. Following the conference, the President, who conducted the survey in a driving rain, took a helicopter back to Manila to be in time for his meeting with public works and agriculture officials in Malacañang. During the conference, the President said that there was need to cut bureaucratic red tape. He was informed that the total expenditures for the rehabilitation, reclamation and reconstruction of infrastructures as proposed by the conference committee of the National Disaster Control Council would be ₱420.4 million. To this end, he discussed with the departments concerned the projects to be given top priority in accordance with available funds. Among those present at the meeting were Secretaries Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. of agriculture and natural resources, David M. Consunji of public works and communications, Juan Ponce Enrile of national defense, Rosendo Marquez of the presidential arm on community development; Commissioners Faustino Sy-Changco of the budget, Francisco Saguiguit of the Agricultural Productivity Commission, Andres Mane of the Philippine Fisheries Commission, Baltazar Aquino of the Bureau of Public Highways; Directors Carlos Leaño of the Infrastructure Operations Center, Eliseo Carandang of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Alejandro Deleña of the Bureau of Public Works; and Administrator Alfredo Juinio of the National Irrigation Administration.
[7] Official Gazette for July 29, 1972: THE PRESIDENT met with members of the Cabinet and the National Disaster Control Council. During the conference, the President announced the shift in flood operations from rescue and relief to reconstruction and rehabilitation which, he said, would cost about ₱428 million. The President designated the NDCC as the implementing agency for the operation, and asked the Department of Public Works and Communications and the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to place themselves at the disposal of the committee. After hearing the report of the various officials on the cause and effects of the last flood, considered the worst to hit the country in years, the President gave the go-signal for the immediate implementation of flood control projects, such as the construction of the over ₱30 million Labangan Channel in Bulacan and Pampanga. On the Manila flood control program, the President directed that special attention be given to the dredging of, Manila’s esteros and the problem posed by squatters. The President also directed that studies be made to declare squatters “nuisance per se” so that they would not constitute an obstacle to the Hood control program. On the agricultural rehabilitation of the flood victims, the President directed that the Philippine National Bank undertake an intensive program to grant easy-term credit facilities for the flood victims. The President ordered the PNB to borrow ₱40 million from the funds of the Rice and Corn Administration deposited with the Central Bank, to be used as guarantee capital to generate some ₱700 million in credit facilities. The conference lasted till early afternoon. The President attended to desk work following a brief rest.
[8] Official Gazette for July 30, 1972: THE PRESIDENT went on another survey of Central Luzon and the towns bordering Laguna de Bay in view of the continuous rains and the new danger they pose to the already flood-ravaged provinces of the region. The President boarded a helicopter early in the morning and flew low over Bulacan and Pampanga. He was back in Malacañang shortly before noon for lunch. At 1:45 p.m. the President again boarded the PAF helicopter and flew over the flooded Laguna towns along the shoreline of Laguna de Bay. The President had a short rest later in the afternoon, and then worked on official papers in his private study. At 5:20 p.m., the President received newsmen who interviewed him on his new assessment of the flood situation and on further steps taken by the government to help the flood victims, as well as on programs of reconstruction.
[9] Official Gazette for July 31, 1972: THE PRESIDENT directed the stepping up of rescue and relief operations following receipt of a report from the National Disaster Control Center that floodwaters in Central Luzon continued to rise because of unremitting, rains. He ordered the Philippine Navy to send more rescue teams to Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac, as well as enlisted the help of the Metrocom for relief and rescue work in the towns of Taguig and Pateros, Rizal. The President did not receive callers, but devoted the whole day to problems brought about by the Luzon flood.