Office of the President of the Philippines

Media

Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal

Title: Office of the President of the Philippines
Language: English
Year: 1949
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Fulltext: The Business View A monthly review of facts, trends, forecasts, by Manila businessmen Office of the President of the Philippines JULY 25 — Announced that the British Government has ac cepted the nomination of Jose E. Romero as Minister. He will succeed Ramon Fernandez in London. The National Economic Council recommends to President Elpidio Quirino that the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation make a loan of P5,000,000 to the Metropolitan Water District for completion of its first priority projects. It also recom mends that P2,500,000 be released to the National Development Company to replenish its capital funds, out of advances to the Government for development projects by the Central Bank. F. D. Maramba, Director of Plant Industry, reports that the Rice and Corn Production Administration will have placed 20,000 hectares under cultivation by June, 1950, — rice, corn, peanuts, and other food crops, in Cotabato, Bukidnon, and Pa lawan. July 27—The President administers the oath of office to Hermenegildo B. Reyes as member of the Government Enter prises Council. He has a degree of master of mechanical en gineering from Cornell and is also an electrical engineer and a lawyer. He is Vice-President of the Manila Electric Company and former Vice-President of the University of the Philippines and President of the Far Eastern University. He will serve in the GEC as coordinator of the activities of the various govern ment corporations and agencies. Servillano de la Cruz, head of the National Rice and Corn Corporation, announces that rice will be sold at 90<f a ganta in the immediate future, at which price NARIC stands to lose from 7 to 80 a ganta, but this will be offset by the profit realized from the sale of imported rice. The Government at present has some 70,000 cavans and is expecting about 60,000 from abroad; 80,000 cavans will be placed in reserve. Delfin Buencamino, Chairman of the board of the Reha bilitation Finance Corporation, announces that a branch of the RFC will be opened in Davao on August 1. He reports that the RFC has so far extended loans totalling some Pl 16,000,000 for the building and rebuilding of homes, P28,000,000 for the rehabilitation of farms, not including some P33,000,000 to the sugar industry, P69,000,000 for the revival and promotion of industrial establishments, P8,000,000 for the construction of public markets and slaughterhouses, and some P10,000,000 for the purchase and subdivision of 14 estates (total area of 12,000 hectares) for resale to some 5,000 tenants. July 28 — The President issues the following statement concerning his trip to Washington: "I have accepted with pleasure an invitation from the President of the United States to visit Washington at an early date. The possibility of such a visit has been discussed in messages exchanged between us during the past several months and I am happy that we have been able to ar range a mutually satisfactory time. I know of President Truman’s deep interest in the welfare of the Filipino people and I am looking forward to the opportunity of discussing with him a wide range of subjects of concern to our two countries. There is, however, no single plan or policy on which I shall seek to obtain agreement during the course of my visit. It is my hope that the visit may serve to strengthen the friendship long felt between the United States and the Philippines. I plan to leave Manila in time to arrive in Washington on the 8th.” Ambassador J. M. Elizalde informs the President that President Truman has issued a proclamation restoring the 2-cent differential in favor of Philippine copra. “This will insure practically exclusive access to the United States market for Philippine copra and coconut oil,” he reports. July 29 — The President initiates action to hasten the reconstruction of the Metropolitan Theater, for which the War Damage Commission has allotted some P600.000. The President names Judge Antonio Horrilleno Chairman of the Labor-Management Advisory Board, succeeding Judge Rafael Corpus. July 31—The President gives a “despedida” dinner at Malacanan for U. S. Charge d’Affaires and Mrs. Thomas H. Lockett who are scheduled to leave the Philippines on August 15. A UGUST 1 — The President issues an executive order dis** continuing the waiver of the additional progressive tax on sugar unless the sugar central concerned can show it is operat ing at a loss. The National Economic Council adopts a resolution recom mending a more strict enforcement of import control measures. It also recommends release of Pl,000,000 out of the P5,000,000 made available by the Central Bank for irrigation projects, to be used as reimbursible funds for the purchase of portable irri gation pumps to strengthen the Administration’s rice-produc tion program. The President’s Action Committee for Social Amelioration (PACSA) reports that during the fiscal year ending June 30, it distributed palay seed and seedlings for root and other quick crops to the value of P383,500 to replant devastated farms; Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija received the largest shares. This aid did not include around P100.000 distributed in crop loans. Aug. 2 — The President honors his former teacher in the old Manila High School, E. J. Albertson, New York newspaper publisher, with a cocktail party at Malacanan attended by around 60 members of the 111 original members of the Class of 1910. Aug. 3 — The President hands Ambassador C. P. Romulo his letter of instructions on the proposed Southeastern Asia . Union, placing him in full charge of the preliminary work. The installations and facilities of the U. S. Army at Fort McKinley and Nichols Field are formally transferred to the Philippine Government as a prelude to the eventual transfer of the title. Not included in the transfer is the 10th General Hospital and a number of othei’ units. Aug. 4 — Budget Commissioner Pio Joven announces that the Government is prepared to sell all former U. S. Army sur plus property to the highest bidder, “as is, where is”, bids to be received until 12 noon, August 15. Aug. 5 — The President holds a one-hour conference with a group of representative American businessmen headed by •F. H. Stevens, President of the American Chamber of Com merce, who call at his invitation to discuss the business situa tion and investment problems. A smaller group of representa tives of automobile dealers were received at the same time. Present also were Secretary of Finance Pio Pedrosa, Secretary of Commerce and Industry C. Balmaceda, and Central Bank Governor M. Cuaderno. The President directs Secretary of Public Works and Com munications P. Sanidad to release P100,000 for the immediate reconstruction of the Central Market in Manila which was des troyed by fire early this morning. Announced that the Government has made representations with the United States Government requesting a reimburse ment in the amount of over P29,000,000 paid by the Philippine Government in bonuses to enlisted men in the Philippine Army following its induction into the Armed Forces of the United States. Aug. 6 — The President leaves Manila for the United States on the Philippine Air Lines flagship Manila at 10 a.m., accompanied by Secretary Pedrosa and Jose Yulo, members of the Council of State. Among the technical advisers accompany ing him also are Brig. Gen. C. Duque, Deputy Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and F. Rodriguez, General Manager, National Power Corporation. A squadron of 35 ad vanced trainer planes and a fighter squadron of 16 planes escort the Presidential plane up to the Sierra Madre mountains. The U.S. Information Service, Manila, announces that U.S. naval installations along the route have been alerted and that arrangements have been made “for hospitality, personal secur ity, and aid in case of need” for the Presidential party. Aug. 9 — President Truman and Secretary of State Dean Acheson lead American officialdom in meeting President Quirino at the Washington airport on August 8 (Washington date). The Department of Foreign Affairs announces that the primary concern of the first Philippine consular envoy to In dia, Judge Maynardo Farol, will be to “foster effective collabora tion between the Philippines and India in the economic, cul tural, and political fields.” Aug. 10 (Washington date August 9) —President Quirino delivers separate addresses to the House and Senate of the U. S. Congress. He “pledged the Philippines to fight on the side of 386 America in defense of freedom, but appealed to America for a ‘redefinition of the fundamental attitudes toward Asia’ ”. "We are determined to carry on and fight to the last man on the side of America if freedom — our freedom and your freedom — should ever again be menaced and the democratic way of life imperiled... I have come to your country in ths furtherance of the mutual under standing between your country and mine: for the preservation not only of freedom and prosperity but. also of the peace of the world in our part of the globe. I hope this mightiest of legislatures in the world will give a timely and effective cooperation in our efforts to achieve a rich promise of understanding and enable us to contribute in our modest way toward the fulfillment of the high mission of the United States in the advancement and preservation of world peace and the security of all liberty-loving peoples.” (In the House.) "Today the most urgent problem that confronts the Philippines and other free countries of Asia is the problem of security. It is, in fact, the principal problem which besets all those states that lie athwart the advancing tide of Communism. The Philippines rejoices with the rest of the world for there, at least, has been erected a mighty bulwark against the advance of Communism in Europe. However, it is obvious to every one that the task of securing a free world is only half done. Asia, with its vast population which accounts for more than half of the total popu lation of the world and with its incalculable resources, can not and ought not to be lost to Communism by default. And yet this is bound to happen unless something of the courage and vision that went into the forging of the democratic defenses of Europe is applied through the forging of a similar system of defense for Asia. I feel very strongly that thr free countries of Southeast Asia and the Pacific must them selves start a movement toward closer cooperation and the furth»rance of their common interests in the political, economic, and cultural fields. No military commitments should be contemplated. It is my feeling that we still have time in the free countries of Asia to halt the advance of Commu nism by non-military means. The fundamental aim and purpose of the Pacific Union is to forge stronger ties of economic cooperation and collaboration between the free countries of Asia so as to enhance their prosperity, hasten the march of self-government, afford concentration in internal development, and to preserve their freedom..." (In the Senate.) Aug. 11 — The Department of Foreign Affairs orders the immediate evacuation from Canton and Amoy of all Philip pine nationals including non-essential dependents of members of Philippine diplomatic and consular staffs in these two cities. Aug. 12 (Washington date Aug. 11)—The White House releases a statement concerning the visit of President Quirino published else where in this issue of the Journal. President Quirino arrives in New York and receives a “gala welcome.” Aug. 13 (New York date August 12) —President Quirino at a banquet tendered in his honor by the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce and the National Foreign Trade Council, issues “a direct invitation to American capital to come to the Philippines”. "Referring to reports on local attempts at nationalistic legislation and Huk activities. President Quirino said that these have been greatly exaggerated. Of course, all sorts of bills are always being filed by Philippine legislators, as elsewhere, he said, but these! do not necessarily reflect• public opinion, much less get enacted. As for the Huk problem, he cited the fact that he is able to go abroad as proof that there is nothing alarming about Huk activities. He concluded his talk by de claring that the Filipinos have always been friendly to America and will welcome active economic cooperation from Americans now and in the future.” Earlier in the day the President received the honorary de gree of Doctor of Laws from Fordham University. Malacanan announces the appointment of Marciano S. Ang eles as General Manager of the Insular Refining Corporation and as Manager of the Pulp and Paper Mill Department of the National Development Company. The Emergency Currency Board headed by Insular Treas urer M. Guevara announces that all registered emergency and guerrilla currency notes will be redeemed by the Government not later than September 9 of this year. Aug. 15 — President Quirino in a radio broadcast from San Francisco beamed to the Philippines by RCA states, with re ference to the honors and courtesies he has received in the United States: "All these public demonstrations are but fair manifestations of the high regard in >yh>ch America holds her Daughter-Republic in the Orient.” Aug. 17 — The Department of Foreign Affairs instructs the personnel of the Philippine liaison office in Canton to evacuate all non-essential personnel and all records to Hong kong. Associate Justice Gregorio Perfecto of the Supreme Court dies. Aug. 18 — The President returns to Manila and delivers a short address at the airfield expressing deep satisfaction with the results of his trip. Aug. 19 — The President signs an executive order making Butuan, Agusan, a national port open to coastwise trade. Announced that the air transport treaty with Thailand has been technically completed by the Philippine Air Mission. The Mission will shortly leave Bangkok for New Delhi. Aug. 20 — The President swears in Presiding Justice Luis P. Torres of the Court of Appeals as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, replacing the late Justice Perfecto, and swears in also Justice Fernando Jugo, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, as Presiding Justice of that tribunal. Later in the day the President goes to Baguio for a rest. Announced that the resignation of Jose C. Zulueta as Acting Chairman of the Surplus Property Commission has been accepted, effective today. 242~ The President appoints Quintin Paredes. Jr. one of the Associate Commissioners of the Public Service Commissl?n- Since liberation Mr. Paredes has been provincial fisAug. 24 —President Quirino addresses the following ra diogram to president Truman: Allow me fo express my deep gratification over your formal an nouncement at Miami that thu Philippines is included in the United States military assistance program for Atlantic Treaty countries. Your speech has undoubtedly brought the United States closer to the hearts of p«£ples like ours whose national security is presently threatened by the advance of Communism. America’s stand in joining in the common defense of the rights of all mankind gives us renewed hope and confidence.” (Continued on page 407) Banking and Finance By C. V. Grant Sub-Manager, National City Bank of Neto York COMPARATIVE figures of assets and liabilities of the Central Bank follow: ASSETS (in thousands of Pesos) As of January 31 As of June 30 As of July 31 International Reserve ... Contribution to Interna tional Monetary Fund . Account to Secure Coinage Domestic Securities ........ Due From Treasurer of Philippines ................... Other Assets .................... P877.395 P714.969 P641,617* P573,031’ 30,000 30,000 30,000 113,106 113,306 113,306 — 9,739 10,354 _ 7,626 19,320 22,681 23,627 P824,969 P750.318 LIABILITIES Currency: Notes ............ P621.521 Coins .............. 73,035 Demand Deposits — Pesos 169,351 Dollars — Securities Stabiliza tion Fund ................. 2,000 Due to International Mo netary Fund ................. Due to International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ................. Other Liabilities .............. 1,408 Capital .............................. 10,000 Undivided Profits .......... P877.395 P824.969 P750,318 * The Demand Deposit Liabilities in U.S. Dollars are deposits of ths Treasurer of the Philippines. These amounts are included on the Asset sido as part of the International Reserve. A further substantial decline in the International Reserve occurred during July, which has focused con siderable press attention on the problem of the spreading gap between the value of imports and ex ports. While Import Control and a gradual decline in prices of some imported commodities, have brought about a drop in the monetary value of imports (main ly due to a decline by one-third since the end of 1948, 387 September, 1949 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 407 In accordance with the authorization in the Philip pine Rehabilitation Act, the American agency sent 50 trainees to the States in 1947 and another group of 50 in 1948, to train for one year in the various technical phases of civil aeronautics service. Of these two groups, 30 specialized in airways communi cations, 30 in traffic control, and 40 in maintenance of airways facilities. An additional group of 46 trainees will be sent early this month. The Philip pine CAA officials believe that the next class of trainees will consist of key personnel now operating and maintaining the communications and air traffic control facilities. They may be sent to the United States in small groups for familiarization training of at least three months. Many of the returning trainees have replaced American technicians, 20 of whom have already re turned to their old positions in the United States. Meanwhile, the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Admin istration, patterned after its American prototype, is gradually taking over many of the functions former ly handled by the Americans. In July this year, it will take over operation and maintenance of all fa cilities. Activities of the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Ad ministration will be confined the rest of the year to an advisory capacity in maintenance and operation-, and the construction of the remaining projects. Official of the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Ad ministration believe that if the Philippine Govern ment cooperates with USCAA in setting aside the yearly appropriations for the maintenance of the fa cilities and organization established, the program will be successful. With the completion of these facilities, the Philippines*will have a modern system of communications and air navigational aids like those available to any country in the world today including the United States. The Manila Overseas-Foreign Aeronautical communi cations station will be equal to any similar type sta tion operated elsewhere and the runway at the Manila International Airport will be one of the most safe and largest runways in this part of the world. The U.S. Civil Aeronautics Administration ex pects to leave well established system of air naviga tional facilities when it ceases operations at the close of the Philippine Rehabilitation Program. United States Information Service. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (Contimied from page 387) Aug. 26 — The Supreme Court promulgates a decision covering 5 cases involving the powers of the President under the Emergency Powers Act of 1941, voting 5 to 4 against the continued existence of these powers, which, however, is no judgment as the required majority vote is 6. On the validity of the executive orders putting into effect the General Ap propriations Act of last year and releasing funds for the coming November general elections, the vote was 5 to 2 against their validity; also inconclusive. However, on two other executive orders, one by the late President Roxas on rent control and one by President Quirino on export control, the vote was 9 to 10 against their validity. The majority opinion is based on the view that the emergency powers were granted to the President only until the legislative body could meet again aftei- the war. The President receives word from Ambassador J. M. Elizalde that the United States has approved the bill providing $12,685,000 for the Philippine veterans hospital and medical program. Distilled, Blended and Bottled in Scotland BLACKiWHITE SCOTCH WHISKY JAMES BUCHANAN A CO. LTD., GLASGOW, SCOTLAND Sole Distributors in the Philippines : KUENZLE & STREIFF, INC. 343-347 T. Pinpin St., Manila, Tel. 2-60-74 (Between Dasmarinas & Gandara Sts. 408 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL September, 1949 NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS Due to greatly improved manufacturing me thods, ive are now offering our “ELEPHANT Brand” ASBESTOS CEMENT SHEETS Plain — 4‘ x 8' x 3/16" Plain — 4' x 8' x 1/4" Corrugated 8' x 40 - 1/4" x 1/4" AT REDUCED PRICES Fur further information please call THEO. H. DAVIES & CO., FAR EAST. LTD. 6th Floor, Ayala Bldg. Manila Tel. 4-79-41 to 4-79-45 Distributors for: HUME PIPE & ASBESTOS COMPANY Mandauyong, Rizal Provincial Agents: Davao : Ker & Co., Ltd. Iloilo : Ker & Co., Ltd. Legaspi : Smith, Bell & Co., Ltd. Cebu : F E. Zuellig. Inc. Bacolcd : Earnshaws Docks and Honolulu Iron Work Aug. 27 — Secretary of Finance Pedrosa, in a press in terview in Baguio, stresses the need of extending the import control program “because we are just beginning to feel its salutary effects”. To counteract the drain on foreign ex change reserves because of the excess of imports over exports, he urges three remedies: providing reserves for the purchase of imported goods necessary for rehabilitation, encouraging expansion of Philippine industries, and coordinating the poli cies of the Import Control Board with those of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank. Aug. 30 — The President signs Executive Order No.259 creating a Fire Prevention Board. Aug. 31 — The President signs Executive Order No. 261 waiving the additional progressive taxes due from certain sugar mills from the 1948-49 crop, “either because they are now operating at a loss or are still heavily indebted and need assistance for rehabilitation”. The Centrals listed are: Central Asturias, Central del Norte, Central Santos-Lopez, Luzon Su gar Company, Central Paniqui, Central Milling Co., BogoMedellin Milling Co., Central de Tarlac, Central Don Pedro, Hind Sugar, Co., Ormoc Sugar Co., and Central Pasudeco. Budget Commissioner Joven in his capacity as Chairman of the special Cabinet committee to evaluate existing surplus army property, announces that sealed bid for the purchase of all the remaining properties of this kind in possession of the Government will be received until September 15, 1949; the properties have been divided into 8 lots in accordance with the situation of the bases, and offers may be made for a single, several, or all lots. Weekly Changes in Retail Prices Bureau of Commerce, Market Division MINOR increases in prices of several native food com modities slightly pushed up the Bureau of Commerce Price Index to the 222.23 mark, up 0.59 point com pared with the level prevailing a week before. As a consequence, the goods-exchange value of the Philippine peso which only last week reached a record high, wa$ automa tically reduced to 44.99 centavos compared with the pre-war (1941) peso. Mainly responsible for the upswing of the index were marked increases in prices of eggs owing to lack of arrivals and seasonal decline in domestic production. Spearheading the upward movement were hen’s eggs which recorded a cons picuous gain of 30 centavos at Pl.70 per dozen, followed by increase of 10 centavos made by leghorn eggs at P2.50 per dozen. In sympathy with the rise in prices of hen’s eggs, duck’s eggs advanced by 10 centavos at Pl.70 per dozen for either fresh or salted Except for a 25-centavo increment registered by lapu-lapu at P3.75 per kilo, prices of other fish item recorded decre ments. Prominent among the downward movers in this group were apahap, dalag and shrimps. Fresh vegetable items were generally steady. Only string beans and chayote registered changes; the former recording a drop of 2 centavos at P0.45 per kilo and the latter easing off by 3 centavos at P0.18 per kilo. MOTOR SERVICE CO., INC. AUTOMOTIVE PARTS • ACCESSORIES GARAGE & SHOP EQUIPMENT BATTERIES • TIRES • TUBES 230 13th ST., PORT AREA TEL. 2-65-27