Settled the demonstrations in Davao del Norte by releasing 8,200 hectares of public land for settlement at Laac, Asuncion and ordering the Under Sec. of Agriculture
Official Gazette for September 24, 1970: President Marcos, in a welcome break in presidential routine, met the young men and women who manned the Philippine pavilion at the Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan when they called at Malacañang. Warmly congratulating the “young ambassadors of goodwill,” the President said it was the unanimous observation of those who had gone to the international fair, Filipinos as well as foreigners, that although the Philippine pavilion was a modest affair, it was one of the best remembered.
Headed by Victor Lira, the personnel of the Philippine pavilion at the fair called on the President following their recent return to Manila after a seven-month stint at the Osaka fair. They were accompanied by Secretary of Commerce and Industry Ernesto Maceda.
Earlier in the morning, the President received Ambassador Yaacob Avnon of Israel who presented him with a copy of the Old Testament in Hebrew and in English. During the call, the Israeli envoy also discussed with the President certain aspects of the technical assistance being extended by his government to the Philippines in the implementation of the Land Reform Code.
After the diplomat’s call, the President met a group of farmers, and signed a proclamation reserving 8,221 hectares of disposable public lands located in Barrio Laac, Asuncion, Davao del Norte for the settlement of landless farmers. Present at the signing were Sen. Alejandro Almendras, Rep. Lorenzo Sarmiento, Gov. Verulo C. Boiser and representatives of some 5,000 farmers who had petitioned for the release of the lands.
Later in the morning, the President administered the oath to Mayor Juanito Purisima of Maitum, South Cotabato as member of provincial board, filling the post vacated by Fidel Purisima who had filed his certificate of candidacy as delegate to the Constitutional Convention. At the induction were Gov. Sergio B. Morales of South Cotabato, Mayors Honorio Cornejo of Tupi and Irineo Barroso of Tampacan, and other leaders of the province.
Then the President repaired to the state dining hall where he was briefed by the Presidential Action Committee on Land Problems composed of representatives of various government agencies. The committee is charged with formulating solutions to land disputes in different parts of the country.
The briefing was conducted by Undersecretary of Agriculture Arturo Tanco, Jr., action officer of the committee.
The President was kept busy by conferences and callers until 2:30 p.m. Other callers included Shoul N. Eisenberg, president of the international engineering firm bearing his name with headquarters at Tel Aviv, Israel. Accompanying him were Michael N. Fleischmann, the firm’s Far East regional manager and H. E. Gabriel, local representative. Eisenberg discussed with the President the problem of flood control in the Greater Manila area, as well as in other sections of the country.
The rest of the day was devoted by the President to his paper work. Among other actions, the President: 1. Authorized the National Power Corporation to increase its service rates by an average of 42 per cent over its present rates. This would enable the National Power Corporation to initiate its power expansion program aimed at meeting ever-increasing energy demands in support of industrialization, contribute to the total electrification of the country, and maintain efficient and reliable services for its customers. 2. Directed Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco to immediately implement simultaneously the minimum wage law and the five per cent salary adjustment for governmental workers authorized under the 1971 budget. 3. Submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nomination of Secretary, of Justice Vicente Abad Santos, and four other judiciary officials. The others nominated were Victor G. Nituda, as associate commissioner of the Immigration Commission; Roberto G. Cordenillo, as municipal judge of Panay town in Capiz; and Artemio F. Sanglay, as auxiliary municipal judge of San Fernando, La Union.
([Arturo] Tanco [Jr.]) to negotiate the release by the Girl Scouts of 2,000 hectares and the Boy Scouts 3,000 hectares. But I did so after making sure that the agitators who had been coercing the farmers and public officials, threatening violence and destruction.
However, I have also directed the PACPA to listen to valid grievances and expedite action on them. Listened to their briefing.
And ordered the Constabulary to take measures against anyone who uses violence.
Met with the Expo ’70 staff and congratulated them,
Then met the Cotabato del Sur mayors with Gov. [Sergio] Morales. Appointed and swore in the mayor of Matum as Board Member.
Talked to the congressional leaders on the legislative program. Sen. Pres. [Gil] Puyat and Sen. Pres. Pro Tempore [Jose] Roy seem to be optimistic about the borrowing authority and peace and order as well as the tariff code amendment and subsidy bills.
Lunched with Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile on the problems of the Defense Department after conferring with Eisenberg on possible financing of our projects.
Also met the Israel Ambassador who briefed me on the Middle East situation emphasizing the violations of the Egyptians of the August agreement under the Rogers initiative.
Cong. [Salipada] Pendatun was ambushed at the corner of Magsaysay Blvd. vicinity of church going towards Mandaluyong at 8:35 PM. He was unhurt but in a state of shock and two of his bodyguards, one civilian and another military were seriously hurt.
The PSBA [Philippine School of Business Administration] demonstration was peaceful but ended with a pillbox explosion wounding five, one seriously. Suspected thrower apprehended.
Talked to Imelda at 3:00 PM which means it was 3:00 AM in Washington. She told me of her visit with the Nixons and a helicopter visit to the Manassa Electric Cooperative.
She has talked to the Senate and House leaders. When she spoke of the possibility that the Philippines may go under since they would not help, Maj. Floor Leader [Carl] Albert shed some tears.
I hope that her candor has shaken Washington out of its complacency. I have asked her to ask if it is possible for responsible officials to make some kind of a statement that the U.S. government is looking into the possibility of establishing a stabilization loan of $300 million. The other projects can follow.