May 23, 1973

[1] It is unknown where this text comes from because this entry is missing.

[2] Official Gazette for May 24, 1973: THE PRESIDENT ordered a P10 million fund release to accelerate the development and improvement of at least eight major airports in the country. The fund release will cover expenses in the completion of terminal buildings and control towers, real estate acquisitions for expansion of some airports and repairs. The move of the President—designed to further spur the country’s booming tourism industry and increasing trade and commercial transactions—will benefit the airports of Tacloban City, Mactan, Bacolod City, Davao, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Cotabato City and Zamboanga City. PHILIPPINE National Bank will send mobile branches around barrios and towns of the 43 provinces involved in the Masagana 99 rice production program to facilitate processing of farmers’ loan applications. Secretary Arturo Tanco Jr. of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who is also chairman of the National Food and Agricultural Council—which is coordinating the intensified rice production program—said an initial fleet of 90 mobile banks will be fielded. To be manned by a personnel of four officials, the banks on wheels will process farmers’ loan applications literally right “at the farmers’ own doorsteps.” SECRETARY of Information Francisco S. Tatad said that the next challenge to the country’s citizenry will be for it to sustain and safeguard the significant gains acquired under the New Society. In a speech before the Manila Lions Club at the club headquarters, the DPI secretary enumerated the country’s gains under Martial Law, which included the improved investment climate, better peace and order conditions, a boom in tourism and a revitalized foreign relations. The secretary cautioned the people to guard against the pitfalls and dangers still lurking along the path of the peaceful revolution so as not to jeopardize the initial benefits and progress the country has so far achieved. THE PHILIPPINES and the United States will continue to have close relations but with a proper regard for emerging realities. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo stressed this point during a speech delivered before the Pacific Coast Electrical Association at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco. Secretary Romulo said that developing countries in Asia, including the Philippines, see it as their duty to themselves and to try strengthen themselves politically and socially; to try to contain internal situations which might otherwise invite foreign intervention; and to insulate themselves from great power rivalry. Discussing the reform movement in the Philippines, Secretary Romulo said that the establishment of the New Society reflects the concern of other Asian countries for development and progress. JUSTICE SECRETARY Vicente Abad Santos said the further amendment of the Bouncing Checks Law (Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code) will be premature. The secretary made this opinion in reply to a request from Presidential Executive Assistant Jacobo C. Clave regarding a proposal of the Credit Management Association of the Philippines to further amend paragraph 2 (d) of the Bouncing Checks Law. The CMAP held that the law’s effectiveness as a deterrent to the issuance of bouncing checks is doubtful. It further stated that amended paragraph 2 (d) has been declared by the Court of First Instance as unconstitutional. The Justice Secretary said there is still no definite or final ruling by the Supreme Court on the alleged unconstitutionality of the provision of the Bouncing Checks Law. THE PRESIDENT inducted into office Dr. Gloria T. Aragon as member of the Population Commission to represent the private sector. Under Presidential Decree No. 166 which amended Presidential Decree No. 79, otherwise known as the Revised Population Act of the Philippines, the President added two members to the Population Commission to represent the private sector. With Secretary of Social Welfare Estefania Aldaba Lim as chairman, the other members of the commission are Secretary of Health Clemente S. Gatmaitan, Secretary of Education and Culture Juan L. Manuel, Director General Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic and Development Authority and Dean Mercedes Concepcion of the Population Institution of the University of the Philippines. DEPARTMENT of Trade advised food manufacturers and exporters to exercise strict quality control on their products to avoid inconvenience and possible losses. Secretary of Trade Troadio T. Quiazon Jr. issued the reminder following receipt of a report from the Philippine commercial attache in Canada regarding the requirements on food imports into that country. The report said the Health Protection Branch and other federal agencies routinely inspect shipments of imported food, at the time they enter the country. If the product, for one reason or another, failed to comply with the requirements, the shipment may be refused entry into the country. It was to avoid any of these eventualities that Secretary Quiazon urged the country’s food manufacturers and exporters through the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, to exercise rigid control on their products.

[3] Official Gazette for May 25, 1973: THE PRESIDENT ordered a revision of the traffic experiment in Metro Manila to remove the impression that the Government is discriminating against certain sectors of society. In a meeting with Metro Manila Traffic Management and Implementing Committee at Malacañang, the President issued guidelines for the committee to follow in its effort to improve traffic conditions in the Metro Manila area. The guidelines are: 1) Not less than 1,000 jeepneys will be allowed to operate in the main thoroughfares by Monday. They will be chosen from the 23,000 jeepneys authorized to operate in the Greater Manila Area which will be reduced to 10,000. 2) Engineering facilities of the streets in Manila should be improved. On recommendation of the technical men, the President directed that the islands in the middle of the main thoroughfares of Manila be removed in order that the whole street may be used. Noting the adverse public reaction to the week-old traffic experiment under which all jeepneys were banned from main thoroughfares, the President told the committee: “We don’t want to leave the impression that the rich are allowed the beautiful highway and the poor are shunted to the small roads. NATIONAL GRAINS AUTHORITY has assured all private persons and entities who will invest in the grains industry of full protection and support from the Government. In a speech delivered for him” before the Rotary Club of Olongapo City recently, NGA Administrator Jesus Tanchanco disclosed that a Business Promotions and Development Division will soon be created under the NGA Public Affairs Office to render full assistance to investors by providing all possible information about the country’s grains business. At the same time, the NGA head reiterated his call on all leading businessmen and industrialists to share their talents and resources by investing in the grains industry for its full development. FILIPINO agricultural scientists were asked to work as teams behind the national efforts to increase food production. Undersecretary of Agriculture Jose D. Drilon Jr., speaking before the Crop Science Society of the Philippines in Cebu City, observed that scientists should no longer work in isolation but in concert with his colleagues. The agriculture undersecretary called on crop scientists to work harder “because they have to work with less resources and because the results of their labor will affect the lives and destinies of millions.” THE PHILIPPINES was visited by a total of 18,078 tourists last April, indicating the steady growth of the industry since the imposition of Martial Law eight months ago. American tourists dominated the arrivals of 6,777, followed, by the Japanese at 3,988. The Filipino tourists registered the second highest rate of increase at 48 per cent, followed by the British which registered a 46 per cent increase. Australian arrivals rose by 33 per cent. This is the first time in 15 years for tourist arrivals from the Philippines’ traditional markets to achieve these increases, according to the Department of Tourism. PHILIPPINE Virginia Tobacco Administration has started a new tobacco leaf procurement system aimed at rechanneling the benefits of the industry to the farmers, Known as the tobacco auction on sale, the system drastically cuts tobacco procurement costs of cigaret manufacturers, exporters and redryers by eliminating the middlemen. The first auction floor system, enables Virginia tobacco buyers to deal directly with farmers and offer better prices for the farmers’ tobacco. The new procurement system is one of the first major steps that the Government is taking towards rechanneling the benefits of the industry to the farmers and their cooperatives with the help of the private sector. DEPARTMENT of National Defense ordered the lifting of Constabulary control over the police forces of three cities and 28 towns in 10 provinces following the return of normalcy of peace and order conditions in these localities. The lifting of PC control over these police forces was recommended by Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief. The three cities and 28 towns are: Cavite City, Tagaytay City, and Trece Martires City; Silang, Tanza, Naic, Gen. Trias, Alfonso, Amadeo, Imus, Indang, Kawit, Maragondon, and Mendez, all in Cavite; Bangued, Abra; San Ildefonso, Bulacan; Alacapan, Ballesteros, Calayan, Rizal, and Sanchez Mira, all in Cagayan; Banawe and Lagawe in Ifugao; Balaoan and Bauang in La Union; Marcos, Ilocos Norte; Malasiqui, Mangatarem, and Urbiztondo, in Pangasinan; Capas and Concepcion in Tarlac; and San Marcelino Zambales.

[4] Official Gazette for May 26, 1973: THE PRESIDENT appointed former Senator Leonardo B. Perez as chairman of the Commission on Elections. Two others were named members of the nine-man electoral body. The other appointees are Venancio Duque, appointments secretary and director of the National Shipyards and Steel Corporation, and former Rep. Fernando Veloso of Western Samar. The latest appointments brought to seven the members of the Comelec. Earlier appointed were Assistant Executive Secretary Flores Bayot and and former 1971 Constitutional Convention Delegates Venancio Yaneza, Liningding Pangandaman and Casimiro Madarang Jr. Two more commissioners are expected to be named to the nine-member Comelec. THE PSESIDENT said he will convene the country’s citizens assemblies for the second time to ascertain whether their earlier mandate for the administration to continue with its reforms under Martial Law is still the majority’s will. The Chief Executive announced this during the annual reunion of the University of the Philippines Law Alumni Association held at the Maharlika Hall of Malacanang. The citizens assemblies are expected to be convened before the end of the year to allow them to: give their views on “whether or not to continue with the present administration and the reforms of the New Society”, the President said. THE PRESIDENT has pledged more Government incentives for small-scale businessmen in the form of added investment, administrative and advisory support and appropriate tax breaks. In a speech read for him by Undersecretary of Trade Mario Reyes during the Fifth Convention ” of Modern Small-Scale Industries in Cebu City, the Chief Executive said that these incentives to small entrepreneurs are in line with the administration’s policy to create a healthy economic environment wherein both big and small enterprises could flourish side by side. The new incentives will complement the financing programs which at present total P100 million for small-scale business which also include management and technical assistance. THE PRESIDENT sought the help of the country’s top educators in formulating a plan to involve: the nation’s youth in national development projects even as he reiterated the need to restructure higher education toward national development goals. In a speech read for him by Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile at the University of the Philippines alumni homecoming in Diliman, the President said the Government seeks to ensure the maximum contribution of the educational system to the overall national development goals within the context of a free and democratic society. These educational reforms—the President added, are based on the philosophy that the national community is not free as long as freedom is the preserve of a privileged few. PEOPLE’S Republic of China is importing $1,326 million worth of crude coconut oil from the country, the Department of Trade reported. Secretary of Trade Troadio T. Quiazon Jr. has approved the exportation of the coconut-product by the Legazpi Oil Company, a domestic corporation which pioneered exports to China. The commodity’s buyer is the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodsuffs Import and Export Corporation of Peking, China. With the exportation, the country’s export to China since May, 1972, will amount to $20,508,550. This will represent a trade balance in the country’s favor since China’s exports to the country at present amount to $19,352,020.

[5] Official Gazette for May 27, 1973: THE GOVERNMENT has enlisted the aid of teachers to intensify its efforts in propagating the goals of the New Society among the students in all levels of the educational system. In a directive to the Department of Education and Culture, President Marcos has asked for a progress report on the Department’s ongoing special programs aimed at reorienting teachers on the objectives of the administration. The President considered these programs, which he had ordered drawn up sometime ago, of utmost importance since school teachers mold the minds of about 10 million students, roughly one-third of the country’s population. The Government’s move was announced by the President over the weekly multi-network, The DPI Report, wherein he spoke on “Freedom from Ignorance,” the third in a series of discussions in the four freedoms, in connection with the month-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of Philippine Independence. FOUR INTERNATIONAL conferences are scheduled to be held in the Philippines between this year and 1975. These international meetings, which will gather in one roof the core of tourist industry leaders, are expected to intensify the country’s bid for international tourists. The four international conventions to be held in Manila from 1973 to 1975 are: 1) The Hongkong Association of Travel Agents, June 3-6, 1973; 2) The International Congress and Convention Association, November, 1973; 3) The meeting of Rotary International in Asia, January, 1974; 4) The Asian Regional Conference of Rotary International, January, 1975. These international meets, particularly the HATA and ICCA conventions, will be attended by prominent tourist industry leaders who are in the best position to promote the Philippines as tourist destination point. SOCIAL SECURITY System has announced that cessation of operations or separation of employes will not exempt employers from registration and payment of contributions for the period the separated employes were under their employ. SSS Administrator Gilberto Teodoro issued this clarification in connection with the deadline on May 31 this year foil the payment in full of delinquent accounts and the submission of proposals of payment without incurring criminal liability of fine. Mr. Teodoro said that the general rule since June 18, 1960 is compulsory coverage for industrial and agricultural employes and casual workers. THE PHILIPPINES appealed to the colonial powers to heed the pleas for independence of colonized nations as it reaffirmed its policy to uphold the right to self-determination of all peoples. The appeal was aired by acting [unreadable] Secretary Jose D. Ingles in a press statement relayed [unreadable] Philippine deputy permanent representative to the United Nations session of the UN marking the Week of Solidarity with the colonial peoples of Southern Africa, Guinea (Bissau), and Cape Verde in their struggle for independence. Expressing sympathy with the colonial peoples in these three countries in their struggle for freedom. Secretary Ingles said the Philippines was reaffirming its fervent belief that in due course there will no longer be any country or peoples suffering from colonial domination.

[6] Official Gazette for May 28, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has approved the recommendations of the Special Committee on Travel authorizing the travel overseas of different categories of Filipinos. Foreign Undersecretary Manuel Collantes, chairman of the special committee, announced that the recommendations have been contained in Letter of Instructions No. 76 issued by the President. Authorized to travel under LOI 76 are immigrants; persons under contracts of employment in other countries; bonafide businessmen; permanent residents; contract workers and students who come to the Philippines for a visit and thereafter return to the country where they reside or currently work and study; government officials on official business; and scholars and trainees. THE GOVERNMENT has earmarked P300 million to be used for buying local palay right in the field. The move to bring Government palay buying operations right to the field is intended to complement a parallel move by the Philippine National Bank to process bank loan applications literally at the farmers doorsteps. The scheme to buy and pay cash for local palay right in the fields was announced by Secretary of Agriculture Arturo R. Tanco Jr. in his capacity as chairman-coordinator of the National Food and Agriculture Council (NFAC). THE PRESIDENT sought the cooperation of surrendered Muslim rebel leaders in the restoration of peace and order in Cotabato for the immediate implementation of the province’s development projects. The Chief Executive made the appeal in a meeting with 14 Muslim rebel leaders in Malacañang. He reemphasized that the planned road building, irrigation system improvement, port works and infrastructure projects will only start when the pockets of resistance and occasional ambuscades in the province have been totally wiped out. THE GOVERNMENT has started to break down many Philippine tribalistic enclaves and to merge all of them into a cohesive society. Since the imposition of Martial Law, reforms have been instituted to erase the idea that the Philippines is made up of a majority of minorities. More specifically, Filipinos are being urged to develop a new outlook towards the so-called cultural minorities, specially the Muslims. Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor made these observations in a speech delivered during the launching of Dr. Cesar Majul’s hook, “Muslims in the Philippines.” The book, Secretary Melchor said, relates to the present effort of building a new nation. He said the “Muslims in the Philippines” is valuable because it reveals to all Filipinos the manner and the degree of differences among themselves and bridges the gaps that have arisen as a result of these differences. DEPARTMENT of Local Governments and Community Development enjoined all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors to help in the orderly and efficient registration of reservists of the Armed Forces throughout the country. DLGCD Secretary Jose Roño noted that in the past, annual registration of reservists had been ineffective due to procedural hitches like non-availability or shortage of prescribed forms and a weak distribution system, defective administrative mechanics and inadequate information campaign. To facilitate this year’s registration, Mr. Roño has directed local government, executives to provide the local civil registrars in their respective areas: 1) Authorization for the detail of reasonable number of personnel in extending all administrative assistance; and 2) Authority to render overtime work during weekends and holidays within the month-long period. THE PRESIDENT has devised moves to effect immediate reemployment for some 50,000 to 60,000 personnel of governmental agencies and entities abolished by Martial Law, the reorganization plan and the new Charter. In Letter of Instructions No. 77, the Chief Executive directed Budget Commissioner Faustino Sychangco to give priority to bid government employes before accommodating new personnel. To broaden possible sources of employment, the President further directed the budget commissioner to coordinate with various chambers of trade and industry for hiring of the displaced government employees. BUREAU OF INTERNAL Revenue reported a total, of P853.29 million as the gross tax collection for April. In a report to Finance Secretary Cesar E. A. Virata, Acting BIB Commissioner Conrado Diaz said that the April collection exceeded by 36.7 per cent the collection for April, 1972. It also surpassed by 94.7 percent the collections for March this year which was P438.64 million. A breakdown of the tax collections for the month of April follows: specific tax, P54.8 million; license, business and occupational taxes, P110.82 million; income tax, P408.59 million; hidden wealth P250.63 million; and other taxes and fees, P28.45 million.

[7] Official Gazette for May 29, 1973: THE PRESIDENT assured that there will be no school crisis this year. “My orders are strict, no child should be refused attendance in the public schools, especially in the lower grades,” the President stressed at the “Pulong-pulong sa Kaunlaran” radio-television program. At the same time, the President ordered Secretary of Education and Culture Juan Manuel to look into the reported jacking up of school supplies prices Secretary Manuel admitted that “there seems to be an indication that the prices have gone up.” However, he added, the Price Control Council has pegged prices of these items. The education secretary warned that if storeowners do not abide by these established prices, “they are subject to disciplinary action.” THE PRESIDENT directed the Commission on Elections to prepare the list of new voters and members of the citizen’s assemblies. At the same time, the Chief Executive paved the way for the implementation of the new Constitution when he inducted into office the newly-named Comelec chairman and the six members of the nine-man electoral body. The President said that since the new Constitution lowers the voting age from 21 to 18 years and since citizens from 15 years old have been allowed to participate in the citizen’s assemblies, the immediate task of the Comelec now is to prepare a new list of voters and members of the citizen’s assemblies. DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare has intensified its seminar-workshop program on regional level to pave the way for the implementation of a day-care project that would provide pre-school education and supplemental milk feeding to some 18 million indigent children throughout the country. The DSW had just concluded a seminar-workshop on responsible parenthood and on the social development of pre-school children for day-care workers of the department’s Region IV, covering Southern Luzon. DSW Secretary Estefania Aldaba-Lim, in a speech delivered during the seminar’s closing ceremonies, stressed the significance of the day-care program in that it would assure the country of useful citizens in the coming generations. THE PHILIPPINES has proposed a list of some 80 export products which can be exported to Indonesia in volumes quantities as the two countries further explore trade possibilities. The list was submitted to the Indonesian embassy here. The export products range from building materials to fertilizers and food preserves. Secretary of Trade Troadio T. Quiazon Jr. said the Department of Trade submitted the list following a conference with Mr. B. S. Kusumonegoro, minister counselor of the Indonesian embassy, which discussed ways of improving trade between the two countries. Indonesia and the Philippines will also review the implementation of the various economic agreements between the two countries through the Joint Philippine-Indonesian Commission. DEMOLITION crews from the Bureau of Public Highways and the City Engineer’s Office of Manila will tear down traffic islands along three major thoroughfares in the city. Work has to be made in the evening so as not to interfere with the smooth flow of traffic. This was agreed upon during a meeting of the district engineers of South and North Manila and the city engineer and their staff at the office of Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino. The three main roads where demolition work will be made are Rizal avenue (from Claro M. Recto to Carriedo); España Blvd. (Quezon boundary to Lerma); and Magsaysay blvd. (from west approach of the overpass to the Carriedo Fountain). GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) announced that all Medicare members who have been hospitalized will be provided with a copy of their statement of payments from the health insurance funds made to the hospitals, doctors and drugstores for services rendered. The Philippine Medical Care Commission has recommended this arrangement to keep members posted on the balances of their benefits and those of their legal dependents. The statement of payments will indicate the exact payments made on the member’s behalf by the medicare program.