Still raining and gusty but came to Manila. Heli from Carmen to Poro Pt. 7:50 AM – 8:30 AM. Then by Fokker from 8:40 AM to 9:20 AM. We had to fly at higher than 11,000 ft. But still bumpy and limited visibility.
Nichols Air Base smells (reeks!! is the proper word) of dried fish—“Toyo” or “Daing”—the kind that you can smell a mile away.
Imelda proudly showed me the operations there.
Official Gazette for July 26, 1972: THE PRESIDENT flew back to Manila in the morning to visit his son Bongbong who underwent tonsilectomy, and to meet with his Cabinet on the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government.
The President landed at Nichols Air Base shortly after 8am He motored direct to the Makati Medical Center to visit his son and to preside over the Cabinet meeting, held at the hospital conference room.
During the meeting, the President, among others, called for a new policy on the exportation of logs as part of a reinvigorated approach to forest conservation and flood prevention.
He asked the National Economic Council, Presidential Economic Staff, Department of Finance to evolve a policy which will not hurt us too much on our dollar earnings, but which will prevent loggers from denuding our forests.”
Among those who attended were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretaries Carlos P. Romulo of foreign affairs Cesar PA Virata of finance, David M. Consunji of public works and communications, Juan Ponce Enrile of Defense, Arturo R. Tanco, Jr of Agriculture, Estefama Aldaba Lim of social welfare, Clemente Gatmaitan, of health, Narciso Albarracin of education, Rosendo Tarquez of the presidential arm on community development;
Chairmen Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic Council Vicente Faterno of the Board of Investments, Eliseo Villamor of the See and Corn Administration; Commissioners Faustino Sy-Chaneco of the budget, Francisco Saguiguit of the Agricultural Productivity Commission, Baltazar Aquino of the Bureau of Public Highways; Deputy Commissioner Conrado Diaz of the Bureau of Internal Revenue;
Also present were Sen. Lorenzo Teyes and Rep. Jose Alberto, chairmen of the Senate and House appropriations committees, respectively Governor Gregorio Licaros of the Central Bank, President Eusebio Villatuva of the Philippine National Bank, Manager Jose de Ocampo of Greater Manila Terminal Food Market, Director General Anolinario Orosa of the Presidential Economic Staff, Directors Carlos Leaño of the Infrastructure Operations Center and Eliseo Carandang of the Bureau of Plant Industry;
Assistant Administrator Amado Lansang of the Agricultural Credit Administration, General Romeo Espino, AFP chief of staff; Mayors Ramon Bagatsing of Manila, Pablo Cuneta of Pasay and Nemesio Yabut of Makati.
In the course of the day, the President created a Presidential Task Force on Rehabilitation Operations in view of the urgent need fn determine the extent of damages wrought by the recent natural calamities, as well as the financial and physical requirements for speedy and effective rehabilitation.
Named to compose the task force were the Executive Secretary or his representative, as chairman; the Secretary of Public Works and Communications or his representative, vice-chairman; the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of National Defense, the Secretary of Social Welfare, the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Secretary of Health, or their representatives, members.
In creating the Task Force, the President stressed that the circum stances demand monitoring, coordinated implementation timely and reliable reporting of rehabilitation and restoration efforts of both the private and public sector agencies and institutions at the highest level of responsibility and authority.
He likewise underscored the immediate need to formulate a medium and long-range program strategy for the rehabilitation and restoration effort.
Then to the Makati Medical Center to see Bongbong who can now talk a little. Next to the conference with Congressional leaders and cabinet.
First the two chairmen, Sen. Lorenzo Teves and Cong. Jose Alberto—on the Calamity Bill (which will now be cut down to P300,000,000 but P200 million from savings. All under my control.
I can then dispense with the power of transfer in the budget except for calamity and contingencies.
One package for the World Bank and Consultative Group—of repair and rehabilitation of infrastructure.
Then replacement of crops and animals. After the roads and bridges are repaired—or simultaneously.
100,000 cavans of rice seeds—P40 million worth—for 100,000 hectares.
Credit for farmers and fishpond owners.
New sources of employment.