Official Gazette for December 24, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS met with his Cabinet to review and assess the administrations performance during the year about to end, and to find out its failings and problems.
The meeting started with the President thanking the members of the Cabinet for their full support and cooperation, saying, “more than anybody else, I am aware of the credit that should be extended to each and everyone of you who helped a lot in the face of the many calamities, both natural and man-made, that beset us.
During the meeting, which “was the last for the current year and attended by members of the Financial and Fiscal Policy Committee and some other heads of offices and agencies, the President:
Asked for formal reports from the various departments for incorporation in the state-of-the-nation and budget messages;
Ordered the increase of funds for the procurement of local palay at not less than P22 per cavan;
Directed that expenditures for normal government operations be cut to the minimum so that funds for capital outlays and investment could be increased;
Instructed the various government financing institutions to make more credit facilities available for agriculture and industries;
Created a three-man committee to map out a program to salvage the cement industry.
The committee is composed of NEC Chairman Gerardo P. Sicat, as chairman, with Chairmen Leonides S. Virata of the DBP and Vicente Paterno of the Board of Investments, as members.
Ordered the various departments to submit legislative proposals to be recommended to Congress when it meets in regular session next month.
Toward the end of the meeting, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, after conveying the best wishes of the other members of the Cabinet to the President, expressed the hope that “we can continue supporting you in facing the crises that may come.”
Prior to the Cabinet meeting, the President received a briefing from the Financial and Fiscal Policy Committee on the effects of the dollar devaluation on the Philippine currency as well as on the nation’s economy.
Present at the four-hour meeting were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretaries Conrado F. Estrella of Agrarian Reform, Constancio E. Castaneda of General Services, Efren I. Plana of National Defense, Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Vicente Abad Santos of Justice, Troadio T. Quiazon, Jr. of Commerce and Industry, Adrian E. Cristobal of Labor, Juan L. Manuel of Education, Carlos P. Romulo of Foreign Affairs, Amadeo H. Cruz of Health, Cesar ,E. A. Virata of Finance;
Chairmen Leonides S. Virata of the Development Bank of the Philippines, Vicente Paterno of the Board of Investments and Gerardo P. Sicat of the National Economic Council; Administrator Eduardo Rodriguez of the Office of Economic Coordination, Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco, Director-General Apolinario Orosa of the Presidential Economic Staff, Commissioner Mama Sinsuat of National Integration, Undersecretary of Social Welfare Petra de Joya;
Press Secretary Francisco S. Tatad, Gov. Gregorio S. Licaros of the Central Bank, Philippine National Bank President Eusebio Villatuya, Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, GSIS General Manager Roman A. Cruz, Jr. and SSS Acting Administrator Reynaldo Gregorio.
Earlier in the day, the President received Admiral and Mrs. Samuel E. Morrison who called to pay their respects following their arrival early in the morning.
Admiral Morrison, the world’s foremost living historian-adventurer, was tracing the 40,000-mile round-the-world route taken by Ferdinand Magellan who came to the Philippines in 1521.
Later, the President discussed with Secretary of Labor Adrian E. Cristobal matters affecting the latter’s department; and with Rep. Tito Dupaya of Cagayan the problems of his constituencies.
The President devoted most of his time in the afternoon and early evening to desk work.
As it was the eve of Christmas day, the President issued the following message:
“As we celebrate Christmas this year, we find our nation in dire need of greater unity, faith and hope. The fabric upon which is woven the strength and oneness of our people is increasingly strained by new forces of emnity and discord, we are called upon to rededicate ourselves to the constructive labor of human goodwill, charity and sacrifice.