President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that the country lost a migrant workers champion with the passing of the late Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, and that the position she vacated is too large to fill.
President led a private necrological service for the Secretary in Malacañang Palace’s Kalayaan Hall on Monday morning.
“Napaka-malaki ang nawala sa akin, sa inyong lahat, at sa bansang Pilipinas.
And if I do shed a tear, it is because it is such a sad day to know – it is such a sad – a bit of knowledge to know that Toots will not be here anymore and what a big gap she will leave not only to our friends, not only to our family but to the millions of those who she took care of, who she loved, and who she worked for tirelessly and endlessly,” the President said who turned emotional during the service.
“Hanggang sa huli nagtatrabaho pa rin siya. Ngunit sinasabi ko nga hindi kasi – dahil tuloy-tuloy ‘yan, dahil hindi trabaho sa kanya ‘yan. Ang ginagawa niya na tumutulong sa ating mga OFW, ang ginagawa niya talaga ay isinabuhay niya talaga ang pagmamahal ng kapwa Pilipino lalong-lalo na ang mga nangangailangan ng tulong.”
Marcos said he is having sleepless nights thinking about Ople’s successor at the DWD, noting that it’s difficult to find a DMW chief as dedicated as Secretary Ople.
He might not find a successor of Ople’s caliber but the work at DWM must continue to ensure the welfare of millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and at the same time realize Ople’s vision for the new department, he noted.
“Maghanap tayo ng kasing-galing niya pero huwag na tayong umasa na mapalitan si Toots, na mag-substitute na magkakaroon ulit tayo ng Toots na ilalagay ulit natin, bibigyan natin ulit ng pagkakataon na magtrabaho,” the President pointed out.
“Bigyan natin ulit ng pagkakataon na makatulong sa kanyang kapwa Pilipino.”
His friendship with Ople, he said, dates back when he was a senator, with the late DMW Secretary working with him concerning OFW welfare, Ople’s lifelong advocacy.
Also according to the President, Ople had an extraordinary sense of professionalism.
“At malaki ang respeto ko kay Toots sa kanyang pagka-professional, sa kanyang kasipagan, at talaga ang puno’t dulo nung lahat ang kanyang pagmamahal talaga sa kapwa Pilipino. At iyon ay – that was on a professional side,” said Marcos, pointing to Ople’s quick response whenever there was a crisis.
“Ganoon si Toots, hindi na nag-aantay ng…may initiative, she’s so professional at saka talagang alam na alam niya ‘yung trabaho niya.”
Ople’s remains leave the Palace at 3 p.m. and will be transferred to the DMW office in Mandaluyong City. Viewing will be open to the public from 5 p.m. onwards.
Ople died Tuesday, August 22, at the age of 61 after battling cancer.
President Marcos appointed Ople to head the newest department of the government at the start of his administration.
A staunch advocate of overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) rights, Ople founded the Blas Ople Policy Center (BOPC), named after her father, which assists distressed OFWs in various parts of the world.
The elder Ople served as Labor chief during the administration of Marcos Sr. PND
