12:30 PM
June 18, 1973
Official Gazette for June 17, 1973: THE PRESIDENT granted amnesty to persons who had failed to file income tax returns. The President issued Presidential Decree No. 213 which noted that the number of income tax fliers for the calendar year 1972 should be about four million but that Bureau of Internal Revenue records showed only about one and a half million had filed returns. The decree further noted that the disparity was attributable to the lack of information on the requirement to file an income tax return, specially as regards those cases where it is mandatory to file a return even if no gross income was realized in the preceding year. In granting the amnesty to delinquent citizens, the President said that in line with the Government’s declared policy of giving tax payers a chance to reform and be a part of the New Society, he has decreed the condonation, subject to certain conditions.
THE PRESIDENT declared that the policy of the Government on social welfare is not limited to extending immediate relief to the needy its greater goals is to rehabilitate and transform them into productive and self-reliant citizens. “Your duty is to seek and help the most helpless and the most underprivileged,” the President said in a speech delivered in ceremonies commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare. During the ceremonies held at the Maharlika Hall of Malacañang, representatives of different welfare-agencies presented the President with a sculpture piece as an expression of their appreciation in pushing through social welfare hand-in-hand with national development. The President also received another award of recognition in behalf of the First Lady, who was unable to attend the rites.
RETURNING evacuees in Zamboanga and the two Lanao provinces have been extended an additional P400,000 in production loans by the Agricultural Credit Administration. So far, the ACA has already granted a total of P1.5 million in production loans to returning evacuees covered by the Special Program of Assistance for Returned Evacuees (SPARE). Other forms of aid, such as food and temporary shelter, medical treatment and technical production know-how, have also been extended to the returning evacuees. In addition, the government has also made available to these people farm inputs like fertilizers, pesticides and certified seeds, at cost either in cash or credit.
AUSTRALIA’S Minister for Immigration arrived to discuss with Philippine officials a new global migration policy to promote travel between his country and its neighbors in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. The visiting minister, Mr. Albert J. Grassby, said that there should be the fullest opportunity for Australians and their neighbors to comeand go without excessive red tape and bureaucratic hindrance. In his talks with the welcoming government officials headed by Immigration Commissioner Edumundo Reyes, Mr. Grassby said that his country’s new initiative in seeking to remove difficulties that impeded the interchange of people in the Southeast Asian and Pacific region had been speedily and warmly understood by the Philippines. “Australia wishes to greet visitors as friends and not discourage them with paper barriers,” Mr. Grassby added.
Official Gazette for June 18, 1973: THE PHILIPPINE Government is offering attractive incentives, including tax exemption privileges, to multi-national companies who will set up their regional or area headquarters in the country. The incentives were contained in Presidential Decree No. 218 issued by the President. In issuing the decree, the President stressed that the establishment in the country of headquarters of multi-national companies would hasten economic and social development of the country.
THE PRESIDENT called on all radio and television journalists to continue their role as full partners with the Government in the establishment of the New Society. Addressing the Philippine Association of Broadcast Journalists following the induction of its officers in Malacañang, the President expressed the hope that “such partnership shall move forward stronger than ever towards the attainment of our common dreams” Emphasizing “the critical and sensitive position of broadcast journalism in the modern world,” the President said that reporting by broadcast journalists of natural disasters and such occurrences as the Vietnam war have brought about an alteration and change in the habits of modern man.
PHILIPPINE Constabulary-National Grains Authority Coordinating Committee issued a stern warning to the public that it will take drastic action against any household owner found storing more than one sack of NGA-imported rice for home consumption. The committee, which was created pursuant to a letter of instructions of the President, issued the warning to forestall an artificial grain shortage and to maintain steady supply of the cereals in the market, particularly during the lean months. The NGA is empowered by Presidential Decree No. 4 to order the seizure of cereals declared as hoarded. The same decree imposes stiff penalties on violators.
Van Cliburn left at 5:30 PM amidst tears and much hope he will return.
For his recital Saturday night was a personal triumph of a genius and a virtuoso. He played better than his records—flawless, inspired, touching and moving.
THE PRESIDENT enjoined all regional directors and assistant regional directors of the Bureau of Public Works to assume greater initiative in pursuing the objectives of the Government reorganization. Addressing the 11 regional directors and 11 assistant regional directors who took their oath of office before him at Malacañang, the President pointed out that the reason why the regional offices were created was to avoid red tape and to obviate the need for people to travel to Manila all the way from such distant places as Sulu and Batanes. The President warned, “as you assume your duties as regional directors and assistant regional directors, I look forward to new initiatives, new ideas, new projects and new planning.” The President emphasized that under the reorganization plan, each regional director is practically the director of public works and representative of the President.
TOURISM Secretary Jose D. Aspiras extended the invitation to businessmen from Taiwan to invest in tourism-oriented projects in the Philippines in joint venture with Filipino entrepreneurs. Secretary Aspiras extended the invitation during a courtesy call on him by a 37-man mission led by Mr. Richard C. Y. Wang, executive-director and secretary-general or the National Association of Industry and Commerce of Taiwan He assured the trade mission that the Philippines is an attractive place for investment because conditions have become stable and many incentives are being extended by the government for overseas investments.
Dr. PACIFICO E. Marcos, Chairman of the Philippine Medical Care Commission announced that effective July 1, mentally and physically disabled children above 20 years old including legally adopted ones of Medicare members will be covered by the expanded scope of the Medicare Act. Dr. Marcos said that the inclusion of congenitally defective children who are already above 20 years old is based on the fact that they are permanently incapable of supporting themselves. He added that legally adopted children acquire the status and rights of legitimate and legitimated children and logically, they should be legal dependents of their adopting parents who are Medicare beneficiaries.
NATIONAL Grain Authority set July 16, 1973, as the last day for those engaged in the grains industry to register and secure their business licenses. NGA Administrator Jess Tanchanco said that under Presidential Decree No. 4 and Letter of Instructions No. 88, the following are covered by the NGA’s registration and licensing requirements: 1) Wholesalers/retailers of wheat, flour, corn starch and animal feeds which utilize any such grains and their by-products; 2) Millers/ manufacturers/processors of wheat, flour, corn starch and animal feeds which utilize their by-products; 3) Transporters/operators of transporting facilities which carry, handle or transport any such grains and animal feeds; 4) Brokers, indentors of wheat, flour, corn starch and animal feeds as traders/wholesalers ;5) Importers/exporters of any such grains and animal feeds; 6) Bakeries, pastry shops, bake shops, biscuits factories; and 7) Storage of wheat, flour, corn starch and corn grains.
DEPARTMENT of Trade started its crackdown on untrue, deceptive and misleading advertisements and other forms of sales promotion gimmicks as part of its continuing “business cleanup” drive. Secretary of Trade Troadio T. Quiazon Jr., issued the directive to the Fair Trade Board on the heels of another order to the FTB enforcement staff to expedite inquiry into the complaint of the Association of Sporting Goods Manufacturers, Inc., on the sales of alleged imitated brand of basketballs. Defining the scope of inquiries on advertisements shall include the publication, dissemination, circulation or making it available to the public any information regarding goods, securities, services or anything offered for sale thru the newspaper or any form of publication or in the form of a book, notice, handbill, poster, bill circular, pamphlet letter, billboard or thru the radio, television and other media of information.
THE COUNTRY achieved substantial economic growth on its non-traditional exports during the first quarter of 1973 with a record $18.9 million foreign exchange earning, the Board of Investments announced. The amount, which was earned by the top 12 export products enjoying BOI incentives, represents a 71.8 per cent increase over that of the same period of 1972 which totalled only $11 million or a gain of $7.9 million. During the period under review, the country earned a total of $18,926,000, 54,026,000 of which was accounted from the export of garments. On the first quarter of 1972, garments export earned only $2,112,000. The BOI attributed the substantial increase in growth of the economy to the exports of non-traditional products such as electronic components, textile yarns, fabrics and handicrafts.
And the ladies are still moving around like zombies—in a dream.
Sunday I decided to place some of our radar (probably the weather radar) on board one of our ships, convert another ship into a helicopter carrier, develop a one-man or two-man submarine for counter-attack and cut the sea lanes from Sabah to the Philippines.
Monday I release 3 million pesos for the cementing and extension of the Jolo and Sanga-Sanga airfields to accommodate our jets and the Sibuto airfield to allow our planes to straddle the route from Sabah to Tawi-Tawi.
I have directed that the new taxes that may increase prices to be postponed for after the referendum in July.
This includes corporate and personal income tax.
The Mandaue Bridge has also been finished. I will inaugurate it after the San Juanico Bridge.