7:10 PM Carmen, Rosales
I have pitched camp in the PC [Philippine Constabulary] Provincial Command compound in Lingayen and marked it Malacañang in the Field. I intend to stay in this camp which will serve as my office and living quarters during the period of the emergency.
Malacañang has been converted into a hospital—not only Maharlika Hall but the Reception Hall in the palace proper.
Gov. [Aguedo] Agbayani wants to have the Malacañang in the Field at the gubernatorial mansion but it is a politician’s partisan home.
This morning we were morooned at Bo. [Barrio] San Vicente, San Manuel up to 1:00 PM by a driving rain and gusty winds.
I had taken the Fokker to San Fernando, La Union, taking the helicopter (303 Huey piloted by Col. Lapeña and Maj. Reynoso) from San Fernando, La Union direct to Carmen, Rosales where we picked up Cong. [Roberto] Bobby Estrella.
When we did get the supply of goods by the other helicopter from Rosales, the second helicopter was immobilized.
Official Gazette for July 23, 1972: THE PRESIDENT and the First Lady, for the third consecutive day took personal charge of operations to speed up the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims in Central Luzon.
The President, accompanied by Secretary of Health Clemente Gatmaitan, Reps. Jose D. Aspiras and Joaquin Ortega, and Presidential Executive Assistant Jacobo C. Clave flew to Poro Point, San Fernando; La Union aboard the Presidential Fokker plane at 9 o’clock a.m.
The President conferred with local officials, including Governors Juvenal K. Guerrero of La Union and Ben Palispis of Benguet, and Mayor Luis Lardizabal of Baguio City.
After the conference, the President boarded a helicopter and flew low over inundated sections of southern La Union and eastern Pangasinan, landing at Carmen, Pangasinan where he has met by Rep. Roberto Estrella who accompanied him during the resumption of the aerial survey.
The President was gratified to note during the survey that a number of farmers, already were replanting the rice fields, some of which were still under water.
Upon being informed that no relief goods have reached the barrio, the President sent back his helicopter to Carmen to pick up two truck-loads of relief supplies waiting to be transported to San Manuel.
From there, the President flew to Santa Ana, Tayug, where again he distributed relief goods. The President had lunch at Carmen.
Upon the request of Rep. Estrella, the President directed Secretary Gatmaitan to send two medical teams to eastern Pangasinan. Other teams were also dispatched to other places.
Following the survey, the President announced that he was establishing a regional Malacañang office in the province, preferably in Dagupan City or Lingayen in view of the widespread destruction of houses and buildings in the area. The President said he would hold office there for the duration of the emergency.
The President ordered the Constabulary to pitch tent in the PC compound for his office and living quarters.
In San Vicente, San Manuel I met the cousin of Atty. Bravo of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. He is the Capitan del Barrio—Pablo Lorian.
And the sister of Ciriaco Abalos, the Wack Wack attendant whose son I appointed municipal judge in Mandaluyong.
The pictures taken in that barrio will show me sleeping in one of the bamboo beds of the evacuees in the school house.
We passed Sta. Ana, Tayug, another isolated barrio where we left about 150 bags of Imelda’s relief goods. Each bag has some rice, clothes, medicines, biscuits and canned goods.
The barrio is under the influence of the Gozuns. The old man of the family died leaving Atty. Innocencio Gozun. I have received all the votes of the barrio and my opponent 0 in my elections for President.
After lunch at the house of [Conrado] Condring Estrella at Carmen, Rosales, I took a 20 minute nap and then visited Alcala, Bautista and Dagupan.
The people, even in Dagupan City where the newspapers lambast me endlessly, met me deliriously happy, running to shake my hand or kiss it and smiling as well as giving welcome and thanks for my visit.
Exhilarating. I feel light and carefree—achieving. So different from tension-packed Manila.