Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary, Susana “Toots” Vasquez Ople, died 61 on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, the agency confirmed. DMW didn’t disclose the exact cause of death, but it said it would release details soon. DMW spokesperson Toby Nebrida said that Ople died at 1 PM, surrounded by her family. “It’s with great sadness that the department announces the passing of our dearest Secretary “Toots”, Ople, For now, we ask for prayers for the eternal repose of her soul and also prayers for the Ople family,” he said.
After a day of her passing, DMW announced the venue and dates for the late secretary. Colleagues and the public can visit her wake at Chapel 1, Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig City. Wake starts from August 23 to August 24. Instead of flowers, Ople’s family asked visitors to donate to Blas F Ople Policy Center and Training Institute Inc. with account number: 242-7-242514633. Burial details will be announced soon.
Sec. Ople is the youngest child of former Foreign secretary and labor minister Blas Ople. Before Susan Ople became the head of the newly-formed DMW, she was an advocate of OFW's rights and welfare. One of her notable advocacies is the exit plan for a program for OFW families who have no alternative but to go abroad.
Ople said that under her leadership, DMW will focus on issues of migrant workers abused by employers. Further, she highlighted the need to address the issues of lack of decent jobs in the country, illegal recruiters, climate change and feminization of labor migration.
Republic Act No. 11641 signed by Duterte in 2021, created the DMW to improve the coordination and efficiency of OFW affairs & welfare agencies. President Marcos Jr. appointed Ople to lead the newest government agency. In July 2002, Ople supervised the organizing and transferring of former OFW-related agencies such as POEA, and OWWA.
According to the state news agency, PNA, DMW said that Ople is on two-week wellness leave after the passing of her siblings Blas F. Ople Jr., and former mayor of Hagonoy, Bulacan, Felix “Toti” Ople due to lung cancer.
A great loss
“It’s very sad news. I’ve lost a friend. The Philippines lost a friend. Secretary Ople has deep compassion for the wellbeing of migrant workers,” Marcos Jr said in an interview in Laguna.
“I mourn with her loved ones and all those who considered Toots a friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.” he said.
Condolences
The Senate made a resolution 83 acknowledging Ople’s dedication to OFW rights and welfare and expressing condolences.
OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino said that they will continue advocating for the policies that benefit migrant workers in honor of Sec.Ople.
Senate Pres. Juan Miguel Zubiri, eulogized Ople as a true leader who showed compassion, kindness, and dedication to the least heard and the underprivileged.
Senate majority leader, Joel Villanueva, described the passing of Ople as only the loss of Bulacan adn the family but of the entire country. “This is the only first time I saw the demise of three siblings in a span of a month,” Villanueva said.
Senate minority leader, Aquilino Pimentel III, recalled working with Secretary Toots. “She was a great colleague, a friend who I will miss,” Pimentel said.