The Japanese Economic Survey Mission arrived and paid a courtesy call on me at 10:30 A.M.
I attach briefing papers in Envelope XIV-C.
Met Don Manolo Elizalde on the problem of Elirol [Elizalde Rolling Mills] and IISMI [Iligan Integrated Steel Mills Inc.].
Then went to visit Estella’s (Romualdez Sulit) body at the [Sanctuario] San Antonio Forbes Park Church. Ate lunch at the Sago [street] house at Dasmariñas [Village].
Official Gazette for January 25, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS as usual engaged himself in his private study going over state papers needing his utmost attention, and only broke off to receive the members of the Japanese Economic Cooperation and Reparations Mission who paid their respects following their arrival.
The mission came to evaluate the effects of the Japanese government’s economic cooperation program here and see in what way it can be further improved. It will also confer with government and private officials on all aspects of economic cooperation, including technical and financial assistance, reparations payments, direct loans and suppliers’ credit.
During the call, the President conveyed through the group the gratitude and appreciation of the Philippine government and people to Japan for:
1) The credit assistance extended by Japan to the Philippines, particularly in the construction of the EP-Japan Friendship Highway, and for the commodity loan.
2) Japan’s quick response to the Philippines’ call for support and her leadership in the Consultative Group Meeting held in Paris last April, resulting in the immediate grant of the commodity loan to the Philippines.
3) Japan’s donation of 10,000 tons of rice for the typhoon victims last year.
The President expressed the hope that the level of assistance of Japan to the Philippines be not only continued but increased under soften terms.
The Japanese mission was accompanied to Malacañang by Ambassador Toshio Urabe of Japan.
The meeting with the Japanese was attended by Finance Secretary Cesar E.A. Virata, Public Works and Communications Secretary David Consunji, Central Bank “Governor Gregorio S. Licaros, Chairman Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic Council, Director General Apolinario Orosa of the Presidential Economic Staff, Acting Reparations Commissioner Anacleto Mangaser, Chairman Leonides S. Virata of the Development Bank of the Philippines, and Ambassador to Australia Gregorio Abad, the former chairman of the REPACOM.
The President then conferred with officials of the executive department present at the previous meeting and told them to be deadline conscious about the various economic and social projects under their respective jurisdiction. The President said that each department should be able to establish target dates for the completion of particular projects and to meet such deadlines set by them.
In this connection, the President ordered:
1. The Presidential Economic Staff to draw up a list of all projects previously approved by him and to report on the status of each immediately;
2. Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. to check and report on the performance of the groups created sometime ago to supervise the planning and implementation of projects by various departments and offices.
The President went back to his private study to continue on paper work. He issued a proclamation declaring Wednesday, January 26 a special public holiday in the provinces of Lanao and Sulu, and in the cities of Iligan, Marawi and Basilan.
Placated Bibit Duuvit, son-in-law of Sen. Jose Roy who has lost out in the voting for Presidency of the Senate.
Have been working on the Marinduque $20 million additional capitalization by DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines] in common stock as well as the Mindanao Strategy for Development which I place in Envelope XIV-D. ·
The Iloilo situation has deteriorated. A policeman Longao has been killed by the men of Mayor [Rodolfo] Ganzon riding in two to five cars apparently using Zig submachineguns which were forcibly taken by Mayor Ganzon from the police armory some time ago.
I attach the messages.
Rep. [Fermin] Caram [Jr.] urgently recommended PC [Philippine Constabulary] control. I will wait for Col. [Emilio?] Narciso’s recommendation.