Watched the fireworks given by the Malacañang employees—alone with Irene at the verandah. We had just arrived from the birthday cultural presentation of Cagayan at the Cultural Center.
We miss Imelda and Bongbong more on these occasions that we would want to share with them.
The PNB [Philippine National Bank] employees have just given notice of a strike. Since it is the government depository, I intend to certify it immediately to the CIR [Court of Industrial Relations]. It is a little painful that they strike effective on my birthday, Sept.
Official Gazette for September 9, 1970: President Marcos was engaged by conferences, callers and the usual paper work, but found time to make a quick visit at mid-morning to Santa Ana, in Manila, to look over the working model for the proposed Central Luzon flood control project. Accompanied by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., the President was an interested listener as Director of Public Works Alejandro Deleña explained the project to him.
Back in Malacañang at about 11 a.m., the President started receiving visitors. Among the first to call on him was Argentine Ambassador Marco Aurelio Lino Benitez, who called to say goodbye, preparatory to his departure for his home office after completing his tour of duty here. The first envoy of his country assigned to Manila the ambassador came with his daughter. He gave the President a book, “Martin Fierro,” as a memento. Another envoy, Ambassador B. Deva Rao of India, also called to consult the President on matters of mutual interest to the Philippines and India.
Later in the day, the President conferred with leaders of the Bicol region. In the group were Reps. Amando Cope, Carlos Imperial and Roberto Sabido of Albay; Fernando Pajarillo of Camarines Norte, Felix Fuentebella of Camarines Sur, and Rafael Aquino ofSorsogon; Governors Jose Estevez of Albay, Nicolas Pardo of Camarines Norte, Armando Cladera of Camarines Sur, and Vicente Alberto of Catanduanes; and City Mayors Jose Villanueva of Iriga and Gregorio Imperial of Legaspi.
In the afternoon, the President had a get-together with members of the Class of 1933, U.P. High School, who were his classmates.
Headed by Mrs. Erlinda Rigor, the group presented the President with century old literary and historical books. Dr. Jose Añonuevo, the President’s former history professor, made the presentation.
Later, the President was among those who enjoyed the program of Ibanag folk dances, songs and other cultural presentations indigenous to the region. The troupe brought the show to the Palace, as its offering in connection with the President’s birthday.
The Chief Executive also received some 109 graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy, who called at Malacañang to pay their respects in connection with his birthday. He told the group to have pride in the “glorious past and uphold the fine traditions” of the country.
During the day, the President announced the amicable settlement of the ten-year boundary dispute between the Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP) and the Consuelo V. Calo Lumber Industries in Mindanao. Counsel of both parties signed an agreement during a meeting today at the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources conference room. The accord ended the claims of the CVC and PICOP on a 14,000-hectare forest area in Agusan del Sur. The agreement called for recognition by CVC of the boundary lines established by Presidential warranties, and was arrived at to “uphold the commitments made by the government of the Philippines arising from the Presidential warranties” in favor of PICOP and its fully-owned affiliate, the Bislig Bay Lumber Company, Inc.
11th. And I have spoiled them. They receive one of the highest scales of salaries and fringe benefits in the government. But this is symbolic of the times.
Worked out the morning on the Central Luzon flood problem. We need a floodway between the San Antonio swamps and the Candaba swamps, the latter being capable of storing all excess water. And a floodway from Calumpit straight south to Manila Bay. All the streams and rivers that are the natural drainage of these areas have been closed or obstructed by fishponds.
Am working out the guidelines for the UN [United Nations] and other missions abroad.
Candidates for delegates keep coming to get my blessings and I have to keep repeating that I will not come out openly to support candidates in this election.