Worked on the reconstruction, PACD [Presidential Assistant on Community Development], infrastructure and agricultural recovery program.
I had the secretary of finance, the secretary of public works, the commissioner of the budget, commissioner on Highways and the BOI [Board of Investments] chairman.
Am not contented with the listing of projects. There are delays in implementation—the PES [Presidential Economic Staff] has taken 3 months to act on the PJH (Phil. Japan Highway) program.
So I have insisted on a PACD project in every barrio, a highway project in every province, 2,750 school buildings, hospitals and irrigation projects.
The agricultural program should include cooperatives. I have started an experimental cooperative farm of the Moshav type in Llavera, Nueva Ecija.
50,000 patents and titles will be given this year to small farmers by the Bureau of Lands.
Official Gazette for January 29, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS bade farewell to outgoing Mexican Ambassador Federico Barrera Fuentes who called at Malacañang preparatory to his departing for his home country after completing his tour of duty here.
After his meeting with the Mexican diplomat, the President interrupted himself when he heard that a large group of Filipinos from Hawaii had expressed the desire to see him. The visitors were on a sight-seeing tour of Malacañang. He emerged from his study to talk with the group, in the process inviting them to invest in Philippine development.
Earlier, the President worked at his desk on state papers, during which he approved the establishment of a second pilot “moshav” project in Barrio Ricarte. Llanera, Nueva Ecija, in line with the administration’s plan to promote cooperative farming throughout the country,
The proposal, to set up a second project was made jointly by acting Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R, Tanco, Jr. in his capacity as action officer of the National Food and Agriculture Council; and Governor Conrado Estrella of the Land Authority and chairman of the National Reform Council.
The first farmers’ cooperative project patterned after the Israeli “moshav” concept v, as established at Magalang”, Pampanga through the joint efforts of the Philippine and Israeli governments, and the Filipinas Foundation of the Ayala Corporation.
Later in the morning, the President conferred with officials concerned with public works project, including those in charge of funding, The priorities of infrastructure development and other projects in this area were discussed. Present at the meeting were Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata, Executive Secretary Alejandro. Melchor, Jr., Secretary of Public Works and Communications Manuel B, Syquio, PACD Secretary Roscudo Marquoz, Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changeo, and Commissioner of Public Highways Baltazar Aquino,
Having no scheduled engagements in the afternoon, the President concentrated on his office work.
The situation becomes more tense as the Pasang Masda [Pangkalahatang Samahan ng Maynila at Suburbs Drivers Associations] of Atty. Lupino Lazaro announced that their strike has been postponed to Monday. Lazaro is apparently weakening.
This time we take a firmer stand and we arrest anyone harassing vehicles on the road instead of just driving them away.
Neither the oil companies nor the drivers are content with the provisional decision.
But now the greater number of our people are alienated by the drivers as the PCC [Price Control Council] grant what they have originally been after.
This afternoon, I asked Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile and Gen. [Manuel] Yan to delay to July the taking in as enlisted men the 1,300 new men (trainees) for the 1st lnf. Div. (Tabak) but to extend their training to June 30th. Thus we save P3.2 million.
We will spend the money for the PACD.
And we prepare a dummy contingency plan where we mass the troops for Central Luzon instead of Manila—thus mislead the subversives who seem to have an inkling of the original IISMA [Iligan Integrated Steel Mills Inc.] plan.
I pointed out the deficiency of the Intelligence on penetration which must now be intensified. As well as the inadequacy of our efforts on psy-war.
We sent 500 guns to lsabela for the BSDU’s [Barrio Self-Defense Unit] to be put up. The 10th BCT [Battalion Combat Team] has been sent there and they have killed or apprehended subversives some of whom have given information which has led to the dismantling of the cadres set up by the NPA [New People’s Army].
More and more, we feel that the CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines] and NPA will resort to sabotage and terrorism as in desperation they are outwitted and thwarted in every turn.
In Congress they are still complaining about the guards and military men set up in the premises. We have kept quiet and we do not reveal to them that we know some of them (Ninoy [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] and Ramon Mitra Jr.) were in the know about the plot that was called off because of the strict screening of all persons entering the building and the House Session Hall—to hand grenade all the leaders there present (the Vice President, Senate Pres., Speaker, Chief Justice and me).
Neither have we revealed the fact that we caught a man with grenades. His companions sneaked away.
I have ordered the expediting of the oil exploration of the concessionaires. Oriental Oil asked for $2.4 million and the approval of its contract for drilling. I ordered Sec. [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.] to approve it today and Sec. [Cesar] Virata to have it approved on Tuesday so that they can meet their Feb. 10th deadline. Otherwise they lose their right to this only offshore drilling rig in the area of South East Asia left uncontracted for.
The drilling starts next March at the Palawan shelf.