WHEREAS, on Wednesday, 3 February 2016, the Province of Bulacan marks the birth anniversary of Blas F. Ople;

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

WHEREAS, Blas F. Ople, a son of Bulacan, is a model citizen and public officer to the Filipino people, especially to the “Bulakenyos”;

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 Wednesday, 3 February 2016, 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 day 28th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Sixteen.

By authority of the President: