MIGRANT Workers Secretary Maria Susanna “Toots” V. Ople, who had long advocated for the rights and benefits of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in a private capacity, has died at the age of 61, her office announced on Tuesday.
In a Viber message sent to reporters, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said she passed away peacefully around 1 p.m. of Aug. 22 while “surrounded by her family and loved ones.”
The cause of her death was not immediately known as further details were expected to be released by the DMW. Prior to her appointment as DMW secretary last year, Ople had just recovered from breast cancer.
Late last month, Ms. Ople filed a two-week “health and wellness leave” from the DMW, following the consecutive passing of her two brothers — Hagonoy, Bulacan Mayor Felix “Toti” F. Ople, and former journalist Blas F. Ople, Jr., who both succumbed to lung cancer.
Many years of her life was dedicated to helping Filipino migrant workers through the non-governmental organization, Blas F. Ople Policy and Training Center, which was named after her father, the former labor secretary of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
