IKINALUNGKOT ng liderato ng Kamara ang pagpanaw ni Sec. Susan “Toots” Ople ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), ang pinakaunang kalihim ng nasabing ahensiya na nilikha ng Kongreso para matutukan ang pagtataguyod sa kapakanan ng milyon-milyong overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Migrant workers, and workers in general, have just lost a great and tireless champion in Secretary Ople,” pahayag ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez kung saan binigyang-diin niya ang pagiging masigasig ng lady secretary sa pagtulong sa lahat ng OFWs kung kaya kinikilala ito ng iba’t ibang local at international labor organizations.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to Secretary Toots Ople’s family and loved ones at this most difficult time,” ayon pa kay Romualdez.
Nagpaabot din ng kanyang pakikiramay si Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron P. Salo, chairman ng House Committee Overseas Workers Affairs, sa pamilya at mga kasamahan sa DMW ni Sec. Ople.
“Secretary Ople was a true champion of the Filipino Migrant Workers. Her passing is a great loss to the entire Filipino nation. She was a dear friend and a colleague,” ani Salo.
“We hope to honor her life’s work by continually advocating for the rights and the protection of the welfare of our Filipino Migrant Workers. Her legacy will live on.”
Sa panig naman ni Nacionalista Party Spokesperson at Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, sinabi niyang nakikiisa ang kanilang pamilya at partido sa pagluluksa ng buong bansa sa pagpanaw ni Sec. Ople.
“Our family had the privilege of knowing Ms. Toots personally, and we know her as a compassionate, inspiring and kind individual,” ayon sa Las Pinas City lady solon.
Her contributions to improve and deliver no-nonsense public service will always be the yardstick in government work. With her work as head of an advocacy group and as chief-of-staff of her late father, she gained deeper and genuine understanding of the concerns of OFWs.” sabi pa ni Villar.
ROMER R. BUTUYAN