Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The wake of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople will be held from Aug. 23 to 29 at Chapel 1 of the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said in an advisory on Tuesday.
Instead of sending flowers, the DMW said the Ople family would greatly appreciate donations to the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, a nonprofit organization advocating for migrant workers’ rights and welfare.
The organization was named after the first-ever DMW secretary’s late father, who was also a Senate president and labor chief under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“This way Sec. Toots’ advocacy for migrant workers’ rights and welfare may continue and flourish,” the DMW said.
Ople died at the age of 61 “surrounded by her family and loved ones,” according to the DMW.
The agency did not mention the cause of death, but Ople had been battling breast cancer.