DMW position an enormous task — Ople

In accepting the offer for her to head the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), overseas Filipino worker advocate Susan “Toots” Ople said she is contemplating if she can be a “unifying factor” in forming a transition roadmap of the newly formed agency.

“It’s going to be an enormous task. The department has not yet been constituted. There are so many factors involved,” Ople said in a media interview on Wednesday.

“But you know, public service has always been in our DNA since my father’s time. So, my primary consideration would be, as part of my reflection mode, is ‘would I be a unifying factor in putting together a transition roadmap towards the constitution of a new department?’” she went on.

The daughter of late Senate President Blas Ople said she is “very much humbled and grateful” for being considered by presumptive president Bongbong Marcos Jr. to be the Secretary of DMW.

Aside from consulting her family, and advisers, Ople is reflecting on whether she would want to return to public office.

“Presumptive president Marcos Jr. has yet to be proclaimed, which gives us time. It’s such an enormous challenge. I’ve been out of government for more than a decade, I think,” she noted.

She has previously served as labor undersecretary under the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.