Difficult to wrench one’s self away from the languorous beauty and peace of Ulot, Tolosa, Leyte.
But after an early morning skiing in a calm sea left on the new BAC 1-11 for Manila. Arrived 12:40 to the problems:
- Mindanao—MGen. [Fidel] Ramos reported that his PC [Philippine Constabulary] forces and CHDF [Civilian Home Defense Force] could handle the situation in the three Davaos and two Lanaos.
But we must acquire more arms—M-16, machine guns, mortars as well as grenade launchers and more communications equipment for the reserves, police and CHDF.
Cotabato is the problem area. Upi is still in rebel hands and Cotabato City is still threatened from Balibad and Biniruan Barrios.
All other provinces are quiet.
The Samar most of subversives has been wiped out by the Third PC Zone under BGen. [Luis] Amor.
2.Inflation—The 44% increase in the cost of living index threatens to wipe out our gains.
Food production is still the primary target. Plus more exports.
But the prices of our exports—logs and copper ore—have gone down. Although
Official Gazette for July 29, 1974: CITY judges were granted salary increases by the President. Presidential Decree No. 516 signed by the President fixed the salaries of judges in the cities of Manila, Quezon, Caloocan, Pasay, Baguio and Cebu at P35,000 annually. Judges in second and third class cities will be paid P25,000 and the rest will get P20,000. One of the reasons for the salary increases was the removal of income tax exemption privilege from members of the judiciary which they enjoyed before the new Constitution took effect. Earlier, salaries of court of first instance judges also were raised to P40,000 a year.
DEPARTMENT of Trade created a committee to assist prospective buyers of subdivision lots. Trade Secretary Troadio T. Quiazon Jr. made this move due to mounting complaints against owners and or developers of subdivision lots not only in the Greater Manila area but also in other parts of the country. Specifically, the committee was assigned to advise prospective buyers of subdivision lots before entering or signing the proposed contracts so as to avoid misunderstanding between the buyers and the subdivision owners.
DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs announced the establishment of a Philippine consulate in Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea. The new consulate, to be headed by Consul Ruben Mendoza, will initially service the needs of the continually increasing Filipino community in the country. The Foreign Office said there are now some 300 Filipinos in Papua New Guinea.
sugar has gone up. Copra is steady with slight decreases.
I have to watch the government expenditures. There is a tendency to wipe out our last year’s 3 billion peso surplus with non-productive expenditures.
3. The Communist Party Build-up.
We must soon release to the people the Kalayaan, Operations Sell Hawk and various propaganda efforts.
It is now time to warn the people again of our enemies.
Specifically the schools have to be told to police themselves.
4. The DC-10 of PAL [Philippine Airlines]—I attach the reports on the situation.
5. Preparations for the trip of Imelda to Peking.