COA chairman joins thousands of Bulakenyos in tribute to Blas Ople
Published Feb 4, 2019 09:41 pm
By Freddie Velez
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan--Commission on Audit Chairman Atty. Michael G. Aguinaldo joined Provincial officials headed by Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando and thousands of Bulakenyos in paying tribute to one of the province's most illustrious sons and statesman, the late Gat Blas F. Ople during the commemoration of his 92nd birth anniversary at the capitol grounds here Sunday morning.
Senator Blas F. Ople
(C) Wikipedia Aguinaldo, the guest of honor and speaker, rekindled Ka Blas’s immeasurable contribution to the country especially in the labor and employment sectors and shared before thousands of Bulakenyos what the ‘Father of Philippine Labor Code’ has said that had inspired him. “Let us continue to open opportunities and enable structures to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos. Sinabi noon ni Ka Blas na tayong mga Pilipino ay nabubuhay sa isang bukas na lipunan kung saan ang bawat karera ay bukas sa mga talento; na ang oportunidad para umunlad ay naroon para sa mga handa sa mga ito; at nasa ating pagkukusa nakasalalay kung hanggang saan natin mababago ang ating mga buhay,” Aguinaldo said.”. The COA chair, whose office ensures that funding is being utilized properly, also shared some of the efforts that the Department of Labor and Employment is doing at present, all because Ka Blas started it, including the Eight-Point Labor and Employment Agenda containing the strengthening of protection and security of OFWs, respect to rules and standards of human rights in labor, and ensuring that programs intended for the laborers will be rightfully given to them. For his part, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that in order to continue the legacy of Ople, the government must swear to protect the rights of the workers. “Protektahan natin ang kanilang kaligtasan lalo na ang mga OFW mula sa mga malulupit na employer, ipagtanggol natin ang kanilang mga karapatan sa paninilbihan at pahalagahan natin ang salapi at remittances na binayaran nila ng kanilang pawis, dugo, puri, at magkaminsa’y buhay,” Alvarado said. Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando also said that Ople’s determination in fighting for the rights of laborers in and out of the country remains an inspiration and that the challenge is to imitate his actions. Meanwhile, the son of Ka Blas, Board Member Felix Ople, responded and expressed his gratitude to the government especially to the Provincial Government of Bulacan for believing in his father’s advocacy even after his death. “Saan man naroon ang aming ama, alam kong nakatanaw siya ng nakangiti sa atin dahil sa kaunlarang nagaganap at tinatamasa na ng Bulacan, at ng ating bansa,” Board Member Ople said. Other guests who attended the commemoration were Cong. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado, Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz, Jr., Board Members Alex Castro and Therese Cheryll Ople, and Ka Blas’s family members including his wife, Susana, his children Jhong, Susan, and Atty. Dalisay and his nephew, Kris Blas. Earlier, a wreath-laying activity was conducted at the monument of Ka Blas erected in front of the old Gat Blas F. Ople building, followed by the unveiling of the commemorative marker stating the renaming of the said building to Gusaling Gat Blas F. Ople Sentro ng Kabataan, Kaalaman at Hanapbuhay in honor of him.
Senator Blas F. Ople(C) Wikipedia Aguinaldo, the guest of honor and speaker, rekindled Ka Blas’s immeasurable contribution to the country especially in the labor and employment sectors and shared before thousands of Bulakenyos what the ‘Father of Philippine Labor Code’ has said that had inspired him. “Let us continue to open opportunities and enable structures to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos. Sinabi noon ni Ka Blas na tayong mga Pilipino ay nabubuhay sa isang bukas na lipunan kung saan ang bawat karera ay bukas sa mga talento; na ang oportunidad para umunlad ay naroon para sa mga handa sa mga ito; at nasa ating pagkukusa nakasalalay kung hanggang saan natin mababago ang ating mga buhay,” Aguinaldo said.”. The COA chair, whose office ensures that funding is being utilized properly, also shared some of the efforts that the Department of Labor and Employment is doing at present, all because Ka Blas started it, including the Eight-Point Labor and Employment Agenda containing the strengthening of protection and security of OFWs, respect to rules and standards of human rights in labor, and ensuring that programs intended for the laborers will be rightfully given to them. For his part, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that in order to continue the legacy of Ople, the government must swear to protect the rights of the workers. “Protektahan natin ang kanilang kaligtasan lalo na ang mga OFW mula sa mga malulupit na employer, ipagtanggol natin ang kanilang mga karapatan sa paninilbihan at pahalagahan natin ang salapi at remittances na binayaran nila ng kanilang pawis, dugo, puri, at magkaminsa’y buhay,” Alvarado said. Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando also said that Ople’s determination in fighting for the rights of laborers in and out of the country remains an inspiration and that the challenge is to imitate his actions. Meanwhile, the son of Ka Blas, Board Member Felix Ople, responded and expressed his gratitude to the government especially to the Provincial Government of Bulacan for believing in his father’s advocacy even after his death. “Saan man naroon ang aming ama, alam kong nakatanaw siya ng nakangiti sa atin dahil sa kaunlarang nagaganap at tinatamasa na ng Bulacan, at ng ating bansa,” Board Member Ople said. Other guests who attended the commemoration were Cong. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado, Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz, Jr., Board Members Alex Castro and Therese Cheryll Ople, and Ka Blas’s family members including his wife, Susana, his children Jhong, Susan, and Atty. Dalisay and his nephew, Kris Blas. Earlier, a wreath-laying activity was conducted at the monument of Ka Blas erected in front of the old Gat Blas F. Ople building, followed by the unveiling of the commemorative marker stating the renaming of the said building to Gusaling Gat Blas F. Ople Sentro ng Kabataan, Kaalaman at Hanapbuhay in honor of him.