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 sone of Bulacan, has been a model to the Filipino people especially to the "Bulakenyos"

WHEREAS, it is fitting that at the people of the Province of Bulacan be given full oportunity to celebrate the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALBERTO G. ROMULO, Executive Secretary, by order of Her Excellency, GLORIA MACAPAGL-ARROYO, do hereby declare Tuesday, February 3, 2004, 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 30^th of January, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Four.

By order of the President:

(Sgd.)ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary

By the Executive Secretary:

(Sgd.)JOAQUIN C. LAGONERA