By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday honored the legacy of the late Maria Susana “Toots” Ople, who remained to shape and guide the Philippine government and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) long after her passing.
In posthumously conferring the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) to Ople at Malacañan Palace during the fourth founding anniversary of the DMW, Marcos hailed the late secretary as a “standard of excellence in public service.”
“In many ways it could be said that all of us who are doing any kind of work for OFWs around the world are only following the strictures laid out. Siya ang nagsimula nitong lahat eh,” he said.
“Lahat naman ng ginagawa natin sinundan lang natin ‘yung kanyang instruction noong siya ang naging secretary ng DMW,” he added.
Ople served as the first full-fledged DMW secretary from June 2022 until her death on Aug. 22, 2023, at age 61, giving the still-young agency “form and force” while laying the groundwork for migrant advocacy.
The President highlighted the numerous accomplishments at the DMW under Ople’s leadership, including the forging of 42 bilateral labor agreements with 25 countries—championing the dignity and the rights of every Filipino migrant worker.
She also helped establish the One Repatriation Command Center and the OFW Hospital, led the launch of the DMW Mobile Application and OFW Pass, and ordered the shutdown of illegal recruitment centers.
“Malinaw ang kanyang paninindigan: Tiyakin natin na makatao at makatarungan ang trato sa bawat manggagawang Pilipino sa ibayong dagat,” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive also noted that Ople continued to work even while privately battling sickness, saying: “Sa gitna ng sariling pagsubok, hindi niya iniwanan ang tungkulin niya sa bayan. Hanggang kaya, lumalaban. Hanggang sa huli, nagserbisyo.”
“So today, in her honor, I join the Ople family and everyone whose lives she has touched in this shared commitment: To champion what she stood for and to serve with the same passion, with the same integrity, and drive that defined her well-lived life,” he added.
Likening Ople’s patriotism to that of Dr. Jose Rizal, the President said that her love of country is expressed through courage, discipline, and service.
Created by virtue of Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003, the Order of Lakandula is one of the highest civilian orders of the Philippines, awarded by the President of the Republic for political and civic merit.
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