Limiting Telegraphic Toll Fees Regarding Transmittal of Complaints and Grievances by Private Citizens

November 5, 1973

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 329

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 NATIONAL DEFENSE IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL CABINET COMMITTEE TO CHECK ON BACK-SLIDING, AND ALL ACTION COMMITTEES OF SAID CABINET COMMITTEE AS WELL AS ALL PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS AND CITY MAYORS, BE LIMITED TO TEN CENTAVOS PER TELEGRAM

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 Instructions 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;

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 vested in me 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. cd

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.