Prepared the materials for the dialogue with the 100 top businessmen after luncheon under the sponsorship of PACE magazine.
Lasted up to 3:00 PM.
Mostly financing, taxes, peace and order.
I attach the materials in Envelope XVI-B.
Bobby [Roberto] Benedicto came back from Tokyo last night. After golf we conferred on:
- Liwayway
- KBS [Kanlaon Broadcasting System]
- FEMI [Fareast Managers and Investors, Inc.]
- Traders Bank
Official Gazette for February 26, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS as usual started working on state papers early in the morning.
He formed a panel to conduct public hearings on whether the country should import flour, and to look into complaints that “the pan de sal had shrunk and appears to be still shrinking.”
The President instructed the panel to invite to the hearings representatives of flour mills, bakeries, as well as from consumer groups. He also directed the panel to submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible.
The panel is composed of the Chairman of the National Economic Council, the Secretary of Commerce and Industry, the Director-General of the Presidential Economic Staff, and a representative of the Central Bank.
In response to representations made by the press sector; the President issued a proclamation declaring the period from March 6 to 12, 1972 as National Press Week. The setting aside of Press Week was to enable the people to appreciate fully the “vital role of the press in our community and national life.”
At about 2:30 in the afternoon, the President left Malacañang for the Plaza Restaurant in Makati, Rizal where he was guest of honor at a luncheon meeting of the country’s top 100 businessmen.
Addressing the gathering of business leaders, the President reiterated the basic policy of the government “to establish a balanced agro-industrial economy” for the country.
At the same time, the President assured that the government will continue helping them and that it will seek their counsel and advice on vital problems.
He concluded his remarks by saying that “right now we are engaged in the implementation of economic development plans including manpower training, rural employment, and formation of cooperatives to turn the rural areas into productive units; and that “the government is ready to help the businessmen for the government is not an isolated institution—but rather reflects sensitively the feelings, attitudes and opinions of our people.” (See pp. 1897-1898-D for full text of the President’s Speech.)
An open forum followed the President’s speech.
5. The Aquino plan to attack him on a privilege speech
We may not be able to go to Surigao tomorrow as the weather there has been bad and our probing flights could not land.
Mayor Manuel Rojas of Cavite City (Aling) and his policeman driver were killed in ambush yesterday afternoon at Bacoor, Cavite.
I attach the report of OPAMA.
I have ordered the preparation of the call for bids for the coastal road to Bataan up to Bulacan, Bulacan where we intend to set up the new MIA [Manila International Airport] after about ten years of the present one; the North Diversion Road up to Angeles, Pampanga; the South Superhighway up to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.