DIRECTING THAT TELEGRAPHIC TOLL FEES IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSMITTAL OF COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES BY PRIVATE CITIZENS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, THE SECRETARY OF NA…

WHEREAS, in order to preserve the gains made under
Proclamation No. 1081 and to meet any reassertion of old habits and
practices inimical to the society, a Special Cabinet Committee was
created under Letter of Instruction No. 137, dated October 15, 1973, to
attend to particular cases of “backsliding”;

WHEREAS, it is realized that the campaign of the Government
to internalize the social reform can only succeed if there is maximum
public cooperation, particularly in reporting malfeasance of government
personnel, especially those who misuse their office and their authority;

WHEREAS, it is further realized that notwithstanding the
willingness of citizens to report complaints and grievances to the
appropriate authorities, they are usually prevented from doing so by
reason of the high cost of communication; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary in the public interest that the
public and the private sectors join hands in order to afford the poorest
of those who have complaints and grievances to report to the
authorities a chance to be immediately heard and ministered upon by the
Government;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by law and in response
to the demands of public interest, do hereby direct that the Bureau of
Telecommunications and all private telecommunications, telegraphic and
similar establishments make available their facilities to private
citizens who wish to transmit complaints or grievances to the President
of the Philippines, the Secretary of National Defense or any of the
action offices of the Special Cabinet Committee on backsliding, and all
provincial governors and city mayors, at the minimal cost of ten
centavos per telegram.

This Decree is hereby made part of the law of the land.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of November, in the
year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-three.