MANILA, Philippines- Pinagtibay ng Senado ang isang resolusyon na nagpapahayag ng marubdob na simpatiya at pakikiramay sa pagpanaw ni Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susana “Toots” Ople, kilalang kampeon ng karapatan ng overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Kaagad pinagtibay nang walang pagtutol ang Senate Resolution No. 747 (ginawang SR No. 83) na inihain ni Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, na ikinokonsidera ang SRNs 748, 749, 751, 752, 753, 754, and 755 nitong Miyerkoles, August 23, 2023.
“Sec. Toots Ople’s life was a testament to the enduring legacy of championing, being a person for others and becoming a pillar to whom generations of OFW families may rely on for light and support,” ayon sa resolusyon.
Namayapa si Ople nitong Agosto 22, 2023 sa edad na 61 anyos, na pawang kauna-unahang kalihim ng bagong tatag na DMW na may tungkulin na pangalagaan at proteksyunan ang OFWs, itaguyod ang kanilang interes, mabilis at epektibong solusyunan ang kanilang problema at pangangailangan at tiyakin ang epektibong integrasyon nila sa lipunan.
Inilarawan ni Zubiri si Ople bilang “remarkable public servant” na nagpakita ng tunay na liderato hindi dahil sa kapangyarihan at awtoridad kundi sa kabutihan at “compassion.”
“She is a fierce protector and safe harbor to our fellow Filipinos who are toiling lonesome in different lands. It is a great loss to the department under her care for only a short time. But even in this short time she left an indelible mark and her legacy will continue to shape the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) in the years to come,” ayon kay Zubiri.
Inihayag naman ni Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva na lubha nitong nalungkot sa pagpanaw ni Ople na iniwan hindi lamang ang kanyang pamilya kundi ang milyong OFWs na kanyang kinalinga hanggang sa huling sandali.
“Sec. Toots, you are the true champion of our OFWs. Thank you for your love for the OFWs, thank you for your kindness, thank you for being a good friend,” aniya.
Iginawad kay Ople ang Global Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Hero Award for 2013 ng United States Government.
“It is only fitting that as the nation mourns the passing of Sec. Toots Ople, we also honor the life of service she lived which has touched, changed, and inspired the lives of Filipinos around the world,” ayon sa resolusyon.
Naghatid din ng kanya-kanyang co-sponsorship speech sina Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko’ Pimentel III, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros and Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Win Gatchalian, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Mark Villar, Raffy Tulfo, at Robin Padilla hinggil sa dating DMW secretary.
Ginawang co-author ng resolusyon ang lahat ng miyembro ng Senado. Ernie Reyes
