Written at 2:00 AM
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.
May 25th We have
Been listening to Van
Cliburn’s recitals and
concerts with symphony
accompaniment under Eugene
Normandy and [Kordrazin?]
Rice—Issued order for traders and millers to reserve 20% of their usual stock for the government at P30 per 50 kilo cavan of palay.
The PC [Philippine Constabulary] Commander is directed as agent of the NGA [National Grains Authority] to enforce the order.
The governors will take charge of the efforts at production.
We are now planning on a 2,000 bed hospital to replace the present Phil. Gen. Hospital.
DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines]—Reorganization along corporate lines with a duly authorized president.
Interview by Asahi Shimbun.
I announced a referendum next November for the determination of when we have a legislature.
Interview by Danish TV.