Written in Baguio Mansion
Official Gazette for April 18, 1973: THE PRESIDENT said he may issue a presidential decree providing for the creation of new departments under the Government’s reorganization plan to ease the functions of oversized governmental entities. The. President made the announcement after lie embarked from the RPS Ang Pangulo at the Philippine Navy base in Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union. The President said he is presently studying the creation of additional departments on tourism, public highways, industry, natural resources and housing settlement. The new departments are considered vital in the administration’s program to develop the nation’s economy.
THE FIRST LADY congratulated city officials and residents of Baguio City for the successful cleanliness and beautification campaign in the city that has impressed the First Lady. She observed that the last time she and the President were in the Pines City some three weeks ago, they were disappointed over the lack of improvement in Baguio despite the general cleaning and beautification activities all over the country. As a result, the President instructed former Rep. Jose D. Aspiras, now a presidential trouble-shooter, to stay behind to oversee the implementation of the beautification drive. After the First Couple enplaned for Manila, Mr. Aspiras met with Baguio City Mayor Luis Lardizabal and other city officials, barrio captains and representatives of local civic organizations. In a short while, streets and sidewalks were scrubbed, fences and lamp posts painted and flower pots dotted the city.
BUREAU OF PUBLIC HIGHWAYS reported its accomplishments since the imposition of Martial Law, including the construction of 24,327 kilometers of roads and 35,541 meters of bridges all over the country. Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino said the BPH has completed 48 kilometers of concrete roads and 50 meters of permanent bridges in Central Luzon and Metropolitan Manila after the devastating floods last year. The highways bureau has also repaired 11 kms. of concrete roads, 1,354 kms. of asphalt roads, 1,082 kms. of gravel roads and 3,173 meters of bridges in Central Luzon and the Greater Manila area. From Sept. 30, 1972, to Feb. 28, 1973, the BPH also reported that it has accelerated work on the Japan-Philippine Highway where 189 kilometers were paved, 183 kms. were concreted and six kms. asphalted. Massive road and bridge repair works were launched by the BPH floods had inundated the majority of the country’s highways and bridges.
OPERATION PALAGAD ’73, the second rice crops program ending this month, has improved the credit extension system with more rural banks participating in rice production efforts, according to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. DANR Secretary Arturo R. Tanco Jr. said that a total of P24 million has already been released to rural bank in Central Luzon, Laguna and Rizal. Secretary Tanco added that the credit extension system will be streamlined further for the national Masagana 99 production program starting May. The production-marketing tie-up phase of the Palagad program began in the middle of April when farmer-cooperators involved were expected to start depositing their harvests to the National Grains Authority warehouses. Each cooperating farmer will be guaranteed a minimum price support of P25 per cavan of palay produced and sold under this program. Next month, farmers who participated in this program will receive the payments for their produce after the warehousemen have deducted their loans from the rural banks. They will thus be eligible again for another loan.
BUREAU OF PUBLIC Highways will embark on a roadside beautification drive along national highways to further boost the tourism program of the Government. Code named “Operation Complete Highway”, the plan involved the building of roadside parks, complete with all the essential facilities that would bring comfort to travelers like rest rooms, refreshment stands and gasoline stations. Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino said that flower boxes with a distance of 2 and 1/2 meters in between will take the place of guardrails on both sides of the highway especially on approaches to permanent bridges to avoid road erosion’ In the meantime, Commissioner Aquino directed all district engineers to submit a list of local potential tourist spots that could be developed also for inclusion in the program for fiscal year 1973-1974.
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT Administration has collected a total of P4.4 million last March—the highest amount collected by ACA in many years. The agency’s collection last month surpassed by P2,002,120, or 85 per cent the figures for the same month last year which was P2,363,261. From September 23 to February, the ACA also registered substantial increases in its collection.
THE PHILIPPINES has increased its exports to Canada by 91 per cent thus reducing the trade imbalance with that country by 47.25 per cent. This was contained in an official report submitted to the President by the Department of Trade and Tourism. The DTT report said Philippine exports to Canada amounted to $11.85 million in 1972 from $6.2 million the previous year. Because of this increase, Philippine trade imbalance with Canada was reduced from
at 5:30 PM, April 19th
while waiting for visitors
Arrived at San Fernando pier at about 6:30 AM but due to having slept at 2:00 AM from finishing the book of John Paton Davies Jr. on China, I woke up at 8:30 AM.
Waited for Imelda at the Poro Resthouse up to 9:30 AM. Imelda is gratified about the cleanliness and beautification campaign. Flower or plant boxes in the main highway from Baguio or the Naguillian Road and the national highway in La Union. People put flowers on the flower pots and white washed the fences.
Skied at the northern part of the beach where the water was calm compared to Poro Point—up to about 3:00 PM. Abdominal pains from eating yoghurt on an empty stomach in the water at 12:30 AM [sic].
Arrived Agoo where Imelda had gone ahead and lunch at 4:00 PM.
Meeting with the leaders.
Flood control dikes and irrigation systems in Eastern Pangasinan and Tarlac not yet repaired.
Baguio by car (5:15-7:30 PM) through Nagilian so I could see the beautification campaign and repairs of the road
$33.1 million to $17.46 million last year.
BUREAU OF FOREST Development officials and employees were ordered to refrain from frequenting amusement centers like night clubs, classy restaurants, cockpits, race tracks and other places of gambling. The order, issued by BFD Director Jose Viado, also warned the same officials and employees that they will be dealt with severely if found fraternizing with loggers and other forest users. Director Viado said any one found violating the order will be dismissed from the service. His action was spurred by the President’s disclosure of a report on the alleged extortion activities of certain forestry officials in Surigao del Sur and Davao del Norte. The President ordered the arrest and detention of the suspects.
BOARD OF EXAMINERS of the Civil Service Commission announced that the board examination for dietitians has been reset to May 26, 29 and 31. Acting Civil Service Commissioner Epi Rey Pangramuyen said the dietitian examination, originally set for May 2, 4 and 7, was re-scheduled on the request of the Department of Public Information.