CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — Bulacan marked the 99th birth anniversary of Gat Blas F. Ople on Tuesday, Feb. 3, with Governor Daniel R. Fernando vowing to pursue the late statesman’s vision of a coastal road‑dike linking Bataan and Cavite to protect flood‑prone communities.

Fernando recalled that Ople, known as the “Father of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)” and author of the Philippine Labor Code, was among the first to recognize the dangers of high tide in Hagonoy.

"Isine-celebrate [natin] itong taong ito, dahil [siya] ay isa sa mga nagsumikap na magkaroon ng flood control. Noon pa lang nakita na ng taong ito, nakita niya na lahat kung ano ang mangyayari. Nakita ni Ka Blas, na nagha-high tide sa Hagonoy. Kaya inilaban ni Ka Blas ang coastal [road-dike] na ilalatag sa kahabaan ng coastal ng Bataan hanggang Cavite (We celebrate this person because he was one of those who worked hard to establish flood control. Even back then, this person already foresaw everything that was going to happen. Ka Blas saw that Hagonoy experienced high tides. That is why Ka Blas fought for the coastal road-dike to be laid out along the coastline from Bataan to Cavite)," he said

The governor stressed that Ople’s foresight remains urgent today, as flooding continues to threaten Bulacan and neighboring provinces.

He noted that the governors of Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan have agreed to pursue the Manila Bay Integrated Flood Control, Coastal Defense, and Expressway Project.

Fernando, together with Pampanga Governor Dennis G. Pineda and Bataan Governor Jose Enrique S. Garcia III, recently appealed to the Office of the President to begin construction of the long‑delayed project.

Originally proposed in the 1970s under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the plan was shelved amid political problems.

This year’s commemoration carried the theme “Gat Blas F. Ople: Huwaran ng Pinanday na Isipan, Inspirasyon ng mga Kabataan.”

Ople’s daughter, Atty. Dalisay Ople‑San Jose, and granddaughter, Estelle Ople Osorio, joined Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro in a wreath laying at Ople’s monument.

Osorio, president of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, Inc., highlighted her grandfather’s enduring contributions, including the 13th month pay, constitutional provisions ensuring education receives the largest share of the national budget, and pioneering protections for OFWs that have since been adopted by other countries.

“Our celebration of Ople Day is not just about remembering a name, but honoring a life full of lessons, sacrifices, and love for our country,” Osorio said.