DOLE sec joins Bulakenyos in commemorating Ople Day
CITY OF MALOLOS – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz joined hundreds of Bulakenyos in commemorating the 88th Birth Anniversary of a great Bulakenyo legislator and writer, Gat Blas F. Ople held at the Gusaling Gat Blas Ople, Capitol Compound in this city this morning.
Emphasizing Ka Blas’ dedicated and sincere service as the first Filipino president of the International Labor Organization, Baldoz commended his great achievements and projects which created jobs for the seven million Filipinos and transformed the lives of million families in the country by giving them disposable income over and above subsistence.
“Blas F. Ople’s heart for industrial peace based on the labor justice was clearly on my mind when I became Secretary of Labor. I’m mindful of his observations about the ultimate confrontation beyond management and labor and it inspired the DOLE’s labor inspection system reform that seeks to foster a culture of voluntary compliance with all labor laws and regulations,” said Baldoz.
The DOLE sec also believed that Ka Blas’ inspirational and great life, works and legacy will guide not only the Bulakenyos, as well as all the Filipinos to achieve a successful life and create their own contributions to the national development.
Meanwhile, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado described Ople as one of the eminent sons of Bulacan whose leadership and wisdom is worth emulating and said that his great works and legacy will always be in the hearts of the Bulakenyos.
“Ang alaala, gawa at karunungan ni Ka Blas at ang kanyang kadakilaan ay nanatiling buhay sa bawat Pilipino. Bawat Bulakenyong binahaginan niya ng kanyang ginintuang aral ng buhay ay nagtungo at humanting sa kadakilaan ng kanyang kaluwalhatian,” said Alvarado.
In line with the celebration, the Provincial Government officials together with DOLE Sec. Baldoz and local organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Bulacan Laban sa Human Trafficking Movement through the effort of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute to fight human trafficking and help the victims through employment opportunities.
Baldoz also distributed financial checks for the 3,000 Bulakenyo beneficiaries of the DOLE Livelihood Program and Special Program for Employment of Studies (SPES) worth P23 million.
After the program, selected students from different schools in Bulacan attended a symposim entitled “Sinimulan ni Ka Blas, Hindi Magwawakas” at the Nicanor Abelardo Auditorium, wherein Ka Blas’ daughter Susan “Toots” Ople, president of Blas F. Ople Policy Center, discussed his father’s inspirational life and great achievements as a journalist and great legislator.
“Matuto tayong yumuko kung kinakailangan. At tulad ni Ka Blas, magkaroon tayo ng clear point of view sa lahat ng nagyayari sa bansa. These points of views will define your character and values as a Filipino,” said Ople.
February 3, 2015 was declared as a special (non working day) in the Province of Bulacan in accordance with Proclamation No. 948 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Gat Blas F. Ople, the son of Bulacan who has been a model to the Filipino people especially to the Bulakenyos.