4:20 AM July 6th
Official Gazette for July 4, 1973: THE PRESIDENT pledged that in the New Society, all regions of the country will have an equal share in progress. The Chief Executive made this assurance at the official opening of the P45 million Mandaue-Opon Bridge, the second span linking Visayan islands to be inaugurated in three days. The President told an audience of some 20,000 people led by Cebu officials, that Cebu, the Visayas and the Mindanao “will receive funds from the national government and the rewards of progress.” He stressed that the unjust practice of the old society to funnel government funds only for the development of cities in Luzon will not be countenanced in the new order. “So long I am President, Cebu, Visayas and Mindanao will progress as will any other part of the nation,” the President stated.
SECRETARY of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo declared that prospects of Philippine-American relations have become brighter as a result of Martial Law and the establishment of the New Society. Interviewed on the occasion of Philippine-American Friendship Day. Secretary Romulo said the Philippines is now able to deal and negotiate with the Americans and American agencies on the basis of equality and reciprocity. This new Philippine posture vis-a-vis the US is brought about by two factors: 1) The general trend for Philippine world trade which no longer necessitates preferences or special treatment by the US; and 2) A more systematic way of investing foreign (US or other foreign developed countries) assistance.
THE PRESIDENT has created the Philippine Coconut Authority to take over the functions of the government agencies formerly entrusted with the development of the coconut industry. The Chief Executive has promulgated Presidential Decree No. 232 abolishing the Philippine Coconut Administration (Philcoa), the Philippine Coconut Research Institute (Philcorin) and the Coconut Coordinating Council (CCC). The officers and employees of the abolished agencies, however, will continue discharging their duties pending assumption into office of the PCAs 11 board members. The decree aims to integrate governmental efforts to develop the coconut industry which is one of the country’s top export earners.
BUREAU of Customs has registered a total collection of P2.008 billion for Fiscal Yew 1972-73. This, however, is still a tentative figure and does not include receipts torn the outports for June and other unaccounted collections since the fiscal year started. The customs take, according to Commissioner Rolando G. Geotina, exceeded its P2 billion goal. From July, 1972 to May, 1973, the total customs receipts amounted to P 1,839,316,208.92. For the month of June the Port of Manila reported a total of P179, 166,675.86
BLUE-GREEN algae isolated from plants commonly found in Ilocos Norte rice olds have proved to be effective substitutes for rice fertilizers. Scientists of the National Science Development Board reported findings showing that the algae, called Bg-25 (meaning blue-green algae from flask number 25), contain more than twice the nitrogen content of plants grown in sand minus the algae. The NSDB experts discovered that rice fertilizers with Bg-25 have healthier growth and longer leaves. This is attributed to the Bg-25’s high nitrogen content, one of the essential foods needed by rice for growth and grain production.
Official Gazette for July 5, 1973: THE PRESIDENT expressed confidence the July 27 referendum will give the administration a fresh mandate to continue its policy of reforms to enable the country to move forward and achieve the goals of change and modernization. He expressed this belief before members of the Hongkong Overseas Trade Mission who called on him at Malacañang. Two members of the mission, Mr. Liao Yu Chun and Mr. Dan Chin Chih Yun, informed the President they were planning to invest in the country’s national development program. The trade mission, which arrived in Manila last June 30, is the second to arrive here in less than three weeks. “We are very much impressed by the vast change which is very hard to believe,” the members of the mission told the President, referring to the improved condition in the country since the imposition of Martial Law.
THE PRESIDENT constituted a committee to review and propose amendments to the Price Control Law to protect consumers against illegal practices in connection with the supply, distribution and sale of prime commodities. Named members of the committee were the Secretaries of Trade, Agriculture, and Health, the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Chairman of the Board of Investments, and the Governor of the Central Bank. Through a letter of instructions, the President charged the committee with the task of making the Price Control Law “more effective” and at the same time encouraging more production of basic or prime commodities.
DEPARTMENT of Trade has initiated moves to establish uniform rates and time limits for various automotive repair
Cebu in the morning.
Then sweet and lovely barrio fiesta in the evening. Our guests, Cristina Ford, Gaea Pallavicini, Sybila O’Donnell and Luciana Crespi Anedon were very rapturous in their praise of the party.
Luciana said she was hypnotized. She is the writer of the book, the Best of the Beautiful People. She is now writing the Diet of the Beautiful people.
Today was a day of rest for them. But I worked on the ______.
Swimming at the pool in the afternoon with Cris O’Donnell, Luigi and Luciana.
Then golf and pelota.
Informal dinner and dance at Antique House.
works to protect the public from unscrupulous motor shop owners. In a meeting with representatives of the country’s major car assemblers, Secretary of Trade Troadio T. Quiazon Jr., announced he will require the Bureau of Domestic Trade (formerly Bureau of Commerce) to issue only provisional licenses to motor repair shops which may be cancelled if the shop is found not provided with the necessary equipment and competent mechanics. Mr. Quiazon said this move, together with the establishment of standard time limit for major repair works, will guarantee motor shop efficiency.
THE GOVERNMENT has adopted a new technique which would raise the level of exports particularly in manufactured items. The main thrust of the method, called the “micro” or “pinpoint” approach, centered primarily on the selection of particular firms and products for development whose export potential is very promising. Pioneered by the Institute of Export Development of the Board of Investments, the project is expected to prop up the country’s level of exports. Basically, the “micro” approach technique involves the picking out of certain products and firms who will be given government assistance and closer support if found to have real export potential. In short, the main stress of the scheme is to lead the exporters to the right buyers in promising international markets.
BUREAU of Customs took steps intended to maximize the use by the Government of capital invested in abandoned importations. Customs Commissioner Rolando G Geotina said the measures would insure of speedy disposition of all abandoned cargoes to accelerate full utilization of capital invested in such importations. To speed up disposition of abandoned importations the customs bureau chief: 1) Directed all port collectors to apply strictly the provisions of the law on implied abandonment and to declare as abandoned all cargoes that have not been claimed by importers; 2) Directed that all cargoes impliedly abandoned will be formally declared abandoned by the port collector of customs; 3, Ordered that importations may be sold at public auction and the proceeds will be formally declared abandoned by the port collector of customs; 4) Orderd that importations may be sold at public auction and the proceeds will go to the Government; 5) Directed the fast and systematic application m the sale of perishable cargoes so that the Government can obtain a better price from would-be buyers; and 6) Said that importers .can still reclaim the articles within three months after their importations have been declared abandoned after paying the corresponding taxes and duties and other charges.
THE PHILIPPINES, inspite of the droughts and disastrous floods that hit the country last year, has registered a total shipment of 946,593.22 short tons (commercial weights) of sugar for the first five months of 1973 to fill up its quota with the United States. The Sugar Quota Administration said the figures represents roughly 69 per cent of the 1,371,595.61 short tons (C.W.) export quota requirements of the country. The shipment with an FOB (freight on board) value of $153,689,684.94 is roughly 55 per cent more than the shipment for the first five months (January to May) last year which amounted to $99,123,697.19. Sugar Quota Administrator Jose A. Unson said that he expects to meet the country’s 1973 sugar allocations from the US totalling 1,371,595.61 short tons, commercial weight or an equivalent of 1,407,972 short tons raw value much earlier than last year.