Have just come from the meeting with the senators and congressmen opposing the bills in the special session. Each one has his own private interest and demand. Nauseating!
Went to Casiguran this morning. Left at 7:30 AM by PNB [Philippine National Bank] King Air. Landed at Dinapigue Airfield after 45 minutes flight then 15 minutes to Casiguran via the Sikorsky 62 as we were flying over water mostly.
The damage was indeed as reported. Massive. The houses were flattened down. Even the Marcos type school buildings steel framework were twisted. The wind must have been strong to do that.
But the people were happy with our presence. Brought practically the entire cabinet. The Navy ships had not yet arrived. And the most urgent need was the completion of the Baler-Casiguran road from Dipaculao to Casiguran a 16 kilometer stretch.
Placards of thanks and appreciation from all.
Had to cancel the dinner with the Jacintos and [Dominador] Doming Aytona because of the projected march to Malacañan by the demonstrators in Plaza Miranda. But they broke up at 8:00 PM.
Official Gazette for September 17, 1970: President Marcos spent the whole morning at the stricken areas in Quezon, which bore the brunt of Typhoon Pitang, to survey the relief operations going on and further look into the needs of the victims.
Flying from Manila in a small plane, the President took along with him his Cabinet, so that any requirements which the Cabinet could meet would be immediately understood and coordinated with the other members of his official family.
Arriving at Casiguran at mid-morning, the President first attended a Thanksgiving Mass at the town church, the only building still standing, then toured the town. He issued several directives during the public meeting which occurred spontaneously in the town.
The President and his party left Casiguran at nearly high noon, flying back to Manila in about two hours. With the President on the trip to Quezon were Gov. Anacleto Alcala of Quezon, Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Secretary of Social Welfare Gregorio M. Feliciano, Acting Press Secretary Lorenzo J. Cruz, Secretary of Public Works and Communications Manuel B. Syquio, Acting Budget Commissioner Juan Agcaoile, Agriculture Undersecretary Arturo R. Tanco, Jr., PACD Administrator Rosendo Marquez, Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino, and Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP Chief of staff.
Receiving no callers, the President worked at his desk the rest of the day.
Imelda called up five minutes before I arrived. She left London at 11:00 AM London time and arrived at Lisbon at 2:20 AM Lisbon time (9:00 PM Manila time) and booked at Room 374 Ritz Hotel.
The demonstrators were about 9,000 but I am sure the newspapers will double the number in their news stories tomorrow.
And the newspapers will probably emphasize the personal attacks against me although it was held in connection with the Free [Nilo] Tayag Movement.
But I can see that the demonstrators are losing their steam and enthusiasm. And they are no longer violent. Although I understand there were some persons crying out “Patayin si Marcos, Palayain si Tayag.”
The surveys have indicated that the people are for reforms through democratic means and that the demonstrations have caused more harm than good.
It felt good to be with the common people again in Quezon Province. The town of Casiguran has plenty of Ilocanos while the towns of Dinalongan and Dilasag are completely Ilocano.