Very busy day in the office organizing rice distribution for the people. Thank goodness, the rice situation is now more or less under control, but I am losing weight.
Almost everything in the market has gone up in price. A pound of meat, for example, has risen from 60 centavos to ₱1.50. Soap, cigarettes, medicines, and canned goods are going up fast. Only rice is stable, I’m proud to say. Its price must be kept down by all means, because it is the index-commodity, being the staple food of the people. Had another meeting at the Army and Navy Club this afternoon with Colonels Mazaki and Yoshida. Others present were Mayor Nolasco, Director Silayan, Col. Buenconsejo, Dr. Icasiano, Undersecretary Bayan, Dr. Gonzalez of the Census, Director Misa and representatives of hospitals and other welfare institutions.
It was agreed, during the meeting, to fix the amount of ration of rice for each inmate in different institutions as follows:
“Hospitals—200 gms; orphanages—300 gms; police stations 350 gms; city jails—200 gms; Muntinglupa prisons—200 gms.”
The number of inmates, it was understood, was to be checked daily by Japanese officers. If found incorrect, the ration of the whole institution would be cancelled.
Delay in the delivery of rice to the markets this morning, because Japanese soldiers arrived very late. Hundreds and hundreds of people were waiting in the different markets for its distribution. In three or four markets, there were no dealers to sell the cereal, and so I had to order NARIC men to undertake the sale.
There are rumors that the U.S. convoy will arrive in Corregidor. They say it’ll be this week. People expect the USAFFE in Manila by the end of the month. Some say, “Hell, it’ll take ten years!” There will always be dreamers and defeatists. My wife is a dreamer and yet she cries. Women are bundles of contradictions.