I write this while waiting for the family from Visita Iglesia which I could not attend [for] security reasons. Talked to Moon Park of Phil-Asia on the possibility of his extending financing for the establishment of Trading Centers for tobacco in the north, grading the tobacco (Virginia) for export and thus developing our export industry, cutting out the anomalies in the trading of Virginia tobacco specially in the grading, the ultimate withdrawal of subsidy to tobacco (in three years I hope) as well as his company financing the purchases of Virginia tobacco by PVTA [Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration]. We also took up the development of a railroad in Mindanao and the development of West Irian which attracts me as it is completely raw land we could attend to when I retire.
Looks like Blas Ople’s story of a coup d’etat is false. Everything is quiet.
I went to Ilocos Norte by plane with Gen. [Jesus] Singson of the Air Force, Federico Ablan, Jr., CAA [Civil Aeronautics Administration] Administrator and my usual party. Arrived at 8:45 AM and left at 11:45 AM for San Fernando, La Union as I did not need to go to Manila and I could not go to Cagayan Valley as they are not there. Took lunch in Poro Point. [Jose] Joe Aspiras served us abuus (bee’s eggs) and ararusip, kibitzed on Bongbong and the boys practicing swimming, took a nap after meeting with the political leaders and after a news interview returned to Baguio by car at 4:30 PM to arrive 6:00 PM.
Lt. Col. Lapeña went on a dry run to Banawe and does not recommend my using the helicopter from Baguio to Banawe but instead from Bagabag to Banawe which is only a twenty minute ride.
Official Gazette for March 26, 1970: President Marcos took off in the presidential plane early in the morning for Laoag City, where he was slated to confer with local officials on various urgent problems and projects. Arriving at Laoag just before 9 a.m., the President was met by a large group of welcomers headed by Gov. Jose Evangelista, Mayor Eulalio Siazon and Rep. Simeon Valdez. After the usual welcome ceremonies, the President sat down with the Ilocos Norte officials to discuss among other things the need for extending the Ambuklao line to the province, and an additional waterworks system.
Following the talks, the President heard Mass at the parish church of Laoag. After the services, the President set off by car for his hometown, Batac, where he briefly visited with relatives and friends. It was nearly noon when he flew off from the Laoag airport for San Fernando, La Union. At the airport, he was met by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos and son Bongbong, as well as by another big crowd of welcomers headed by Reps. Jose D. Aspiras and Joaquin Ortega, Gov. Juvenal Guerrero and Mayor Lorenzo Dacanay.
From the airport, the President and the First Lady drove to Barrio Lingsat where they laid a wreath at the memorial to the local heroes and martyrs, notably his own father, Don Mariano. Then the First Couple retired to Poro Point to relax a bit before trekking back to Baguio, where they will stay for the duration of the Lenten season