Official Gazette for November 2, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS reached a consensus with Congress officials that political leaders should disregard partisan lines and participate actively in the implementation of government projects. At a conference held in Malacañang, the Congress leaders agreed with the President that they should not only send representatives to government advisory bodies but should participate actively in government programs. Among these projects are the peace and order campaign, the government reorganization, land reform program, and the formation of cooperatives. The President said he will call a legislative-executive meeting to determine how members of Congress and local officials can participate in the “do tank” which will over-see all government projects.
Issuing Presidential Decree No. 1-A, the President reconstituted the membership of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and retaining the National Computer Center in the Office of the President. The decree amends Part VI on economic planning and program implementation of the Integrated Reorganization Plan (IRP). It makes the President NEDA chairman and includes the executive secretary as member. The super economic body is thus composed of 11 members, namely, the President as chairman; the executive secretary as the director-general; and the secretaries of Finance, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Trade and Tourism, Public Works, Transportation and Communication; the governor of the Central Bank, Commissioner of the Budget, Chairman of the Board of Investments, and a representative of the private sector who shall hold office at the pleasure of the President, as members.
The President likewise issued Decree No. 1-B amending Part II on Departmental Organization of the Integrated Reorganization Plan, by allowing more than one undersecretary of a department under certain conditions. The conditions: 1. When, at the time of reorganization, there are two or more incumbent undersecretaries, and the department secretary certifies to the need of more than one undersecretary; and 2. When, at the time of reorganization, the department secretary certifies to the need of more than one undersecretary.
President Marcos ordered the expansion of the Upper Pampanga River Project in Nueva Ecija to the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan by harnessing tributaries of the Pampanga River, ground water resources and other river basins. Through Presidential Decree No. 35, the President ordered that the National Irrigation Administration undertake feasibility studies for extending the benefits of the river project to these provinces.
Amending Republic Act No. 5499 which created the project, the President authorized the expenditure of P400 million for the project, of which at most P20 million will be utilized for loans to the inhabitants who will be moved out of the reservoir area, fur housing, subsistence, farm development, farm implements, work animals, and for other purposes necessary “to effect just and equitable treatment of the inhabitants to be resettled.”
Another decree (No.36) issued by the President ordered the cancellation of franchises, permits and authorizations granted for the operation of radio, television and telecommunications facilities that have remained unused by their holders and those that have violated the terms under which they were issued. Under this decree, the President created the Mass Media Council and prescribed rules and regulations on the opening and operations of mass media. The President issued the decree after noting that the mass media “have been used in the conspiracy against the government and have taken part in that conspiracy either by direct willful participation, or by indirectly giving aid and comfort to the forces of insurgency and subversion seeking to overthrow the government by organized violence.”
The President said “in order to safeguard the security of the state and promote the objectives and goals of sound government, it is necessary that judicious care be exercised in deciding what mass media facilities should be authorized to operate.” The Mass Media Council will be headed by the Secretary of Public Information as chairman, with the Secretary of National Defense as co-chairman, and one representative from the mass media to be appointed by the President, as member.
Col. James B. Irwin, one of the three American astronauts on the Apollo 15 which carried out a moon landing mission in July and August last year, presented the President with mementoes of the mission including the Philippine Flag which it carried to and from the moon, an insignia of Apollo 15 showing three free forms representing the three astronauts floating in space, and a picture of the moon jeepney. Accompanied by his wife, Mary Ellen and daughter Joy, the US astronaut is travelling around the world to thank the peoples of all nations, including those of the Philippines and Asia, who played for the success of the Apollo Mission.
Met Col. [James] Irwin of Apollo 15 of August 1971. He bought his picture on the moon with the moon buggy and the flag of the Philippines.
Met the Congressional leaders for lunch—Senate Pres. [Gil] Puyat, Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal, Pres. Pro Temp Jose Roy, Majority Floor Leader [Arturo] Tolentino, House Speaker Pro Tempore Jose Aldeguer.
We agreed there will be a plebiscite on my call by decree on the Constitution. I asked for their recommendations on the constitution as well as decrees.
And they would all help in the acceptance of reforms.
Signed the decrees on media.
Tomorrow I have an operation on my eyes.