WHEREAS , Monday, 3 February 2014, marks the commemoration of the birth anniversary of Blas F. Ople;

WHEREAS , Blas F. Ople, who served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, 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 , 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 and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR. , Executive Secretary, by authority of His Excellency, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, do hereby declare Monday, 3 February 2014, as a 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 16th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Fourteen.

By authority of the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR.
Executive Secretary