No classes, work in Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Biñan today, February 3

CLASSES were suspended, and private and government employees can have their holiday today in the whole province of Bulacan, as well as the cities of Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija and Biñan in Laguna.

Malacañang declared February 3 as a special non-working holiday in those three areas in separate proclamations.

Blas Ople Day in Bulacan

Proclamation No. 128 declared February 3 as a special non-working holiday in Bulacan to commemmorate Blas Ople Day.

“It is 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,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin wrote in Proclamation 128.

Bulacan has lined up a number of events for the day. It will start at the monument of Blas F. Ople in the provincial capitol compound in Bulacan. His daughter, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople, led the wreath-laying ceremony together with Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, Vice Governor Alex Castro, and other local officials.

For those who don’t have work or are still looking for a higher-paying or better work environment, it’s a good day to look for one at the jobs fair at the Bulacan Convention Center. 48 participating local employers will offer 4,309 jobs today, while 22 overseas agencies will be providing 6,918 job opportunities in the job fair. See the full job offerings in the post of Provincial PESO Bulacan Facebook page.

Those who are sick and cannot afford to consult with a doctor or specialist may also avail free health services such as general medical consultation, ECG, X-ray, and COVID-19 vaccination from 9 am to 5 pm at the medical mission which will be held in The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center.

Araw ng Biñan

Malacanang issued Proclamation 129, declaring a special non-working holiday in Biñan to commemorate its 78th Liberation Day.

Biñan started their celebration yesterday with the unveiling of the new Plaza Rizal.

Banatu Festival in Cabanatuan City

Malacanang issued Proclamation 127, declaring a special non-working holiday in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija for its 73rd Founding Anniversary.

Cabanatuan has been celebrating their founding anniversary since January 27.

Under the banner “Banatu Festival 2023,” Cabanatuan has lined up a lot of activities including Binibining Cabanatuan, Miss Gay Cabanatuan and pageantry for tricycle drivers. They also held a pet day and wellness checkup.

Today, Cabanatuan’s famous sweet and garlicky longganisa will be featured for their Longganisa Festival.

Who is Blas F. Ople?

Mention the name “Blas Ople” to the parents and grandparents of millennials and GenZ  and they can easily remember him. 

See the Labor Code which your employers or HR managers have been consulting? He penned it. Why can OFWs demand protection from the government even while abroad? It’s because he championed it. In short, he is the ‘Father of Philippine Labor Code’ and ‘Father of Overseas Filipino Workers.’

He served in various administrations from President Ferdinand Marcos until his death under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was labor minister, foreign affairs secretary, voted as senator for years and then became Senate President. He was a prolific writer, starting as a journalist and continued writing columns in newspapers while juggling government service. But more than that, he is a proud son of Bulacan.