WHEREAS, Tuesday, February 3, 2009, marks the birth anniversary of the late Blas F. Ople;

WHEREAS, Blas F. Ople, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, former Senate President and Secretary of Labor, had devoted decades of his life to selfless, dedicated and sincere service to our country and our people;

WHEREAS, the late Blas F. Ople, a son of Bulacan, has been a model to the Filipino people especially to the œBulakenyos ;

WHEREAS, it is but fitting and proper that the people of the Province of Bulacan, be given full opportunity to celebrate the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDUARDO R. ERMITA, Executive Secretary, by authority of Her Excellency, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, do hereby declare Tuesday, February 3, 2009, as special (non-working) day in the Province of Bulacan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.


By the Executive Secretary:

(Sgd.) JOAQUIN C. LAGONERA
Executive Secretary