Official Gazette for May 21, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has ordered the funneling of vast financial resources to the Masagana 99 rice production program which he termed as a decisive factor in the country’s constitutional revolution. In officially launching the nationwide rice production program at the Maharlika Hall of Malacañang, the Chief Executive stressed that the program is not only an agricultural project but a project which entails the reexamination “of ourselves.” The President said that the success of the whole program—which is an extension of the pilot project in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija which had doubled rice production by more than 44 cavans per hectare—hinges on banker-farmer relations and NGA-farmer relations. The President further directed the NGA to go directly to the farmers and get their palay instead of utilizing middlemen who procure palay at very low prices. The President thus called on government and local officials to support the program which covers 43 provinces. He said that local officials must be candid in reporting obstacles to the program.
TOURISM SECRETARY Jose D. Aspiras formally assumed office as head of the new department which was created by the President to give new thrust and direction to the tourism industry. The President has renamed the Department of Trade and Tourism as Department of Trade and created a Department of Tourism. The Chief Executive also created a Philippine Tourism Authority in lieu of the Philippine Tourism Commission. The presidential decree creating the tourism department stated that it shall be the policy of the Government to make the tourist industry “a positive instrument towards accelerated national development. In pursuit of this policy, the tourism department has been declared as the primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating and administrative body of the Government in the development of the tourist industry.
THE PRESIDENT has authorized the Development Bank of the Philippines to increase its capital to P3 billion for the massive credit financing of the country’s industrial and agricultural development and expansion. In a still unnumbered presidential decree, the Chief Executive promulgated a series of recommendations submitted by DBP Governor Leonides S. Virata which is designed to sustain the credit requirements of the country’s rapidly expanding economy. The recommendations of Gov. Virata were also endorsed by Finance Secretary Cesar E. A. Virata and Central Bank Governor Gregorio S. Licaros. The move was in consonance with the findings of a performance evaluation team which conducted an audit of the bank’s financial affairs and operations.
THE PRESIDENT said the Government is considering subsidies and pricing by the Price Control Council at levels within the reach of the ordinary consumer to stem spiraling costs. The President said that 15 food and consumer items have been picked out “which we will now support at almost any cost. Answering the questions on the multi-net-work television program The DPI Report, the President said, however, that the actual answer to the upward swing in prices is production. At the same time, he said, the Government is “playing safe” by ordering the implementation of contracts for the purchase of rice stocks from abroad. He said that to stimulate production among farmers, commercial banks, particularly the rural banks, will play an important role in production with the extension of credit to the tillers.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT officials must assume a more active role in the dissemination of New Society reforms and benefits in their respective jurisdiction. The Department of Local Governments and Community Development has issued a memorandum circular to all provincial governors, city mayors and provincial and city development officers to conduct information campaigns through seminars on the mechanics of effective communication. DLGCD Secretary Jose A. Roño said this program is in consonance with the on-going campaign of the Department of Public Information to provide the people—even those residing in the country’s farthest recesses—necessary and vital information regarding Government efforts under the New Society.
CITIZENRY must be ever vigilant to defuse panic-inciting rumors and to spur inefficient public officials to action in the effort to achieve national progress. Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, Constabulary chief, stated this in conferences with officials of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Southern Leyte during his recent visit to these provinces. He appealed to local officials to continue the intensive campaign against criminality, subversion and insurgency in order to live up to the expectations of the people who elected them into office.
METROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System alerted Greater Manila area residents about the extortion activities of persons posing as MWSS inspectors and checking on illegal water connections. MWSS General Sergio M. Isada issued the warning following complaints that persons bearing fake identification cards have been intimidating owners of illegal water connections of service closure or military arrest unless they dole out cash
Since Thursday I have been disturbed by the thoughts provoked by Kumanders Pusa [Benjamin Sanguyo] and Melody [Benjamin Bie Jr.]—that a revolution to succeed must be violent if not bloody not only for the therapeutic effect of the shock or trauma but for the removal of the obstacles to the new society.
“Kailangan malinis at matatag ang batayan nang Bagong Lipunan—sa panagutan nang marahas na himagsikan,” is both an accusation and a guide.
I have maintained that while our revolution is constitutional, it is violent in the forcible detention of the corruptors of the Philippine society and all enemies of the New Society.
Have we been too weak? Have we compromised? Have we followed the line of least resistance? Expediency? More convenient? Selfish?
Have we lost the ideals of the true revolutionary? Have we lost the revolution?
He reminded me of the passionate and burning commitment of my guerilla days.
“How many of those who help you are willing to die for the New Society” he asked simply. This was the guerilla’s simple but inexhorable [sic] standard of loyalty and guide for action.
How many indeed?
Are there not too many who are with me for their own self-interest?
I attach an outline of ideas on my conversations with Pusa and Melody.
I launched Masagana 99 this morning at Maharlika Hall. A test of the constitutional revolution and a microcosm of the national effort to eradicate the division between the classes of our people—the farmer and the banker, the bureaucrat and the citizen, the intellectual looking with contempt and futility on all.
money.