OFW cancer fund, upskilling programs for domestic helpers among Toots Ople's plans before passing

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 26) – The daughter of the late Migrant Workers Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople recalled some of her mother's plans a week before she died on Aug. 22 at the age of 61.

"Isa rin kasi sa nabanggit niya yung cancer fund for OFWs (overseas Filipino workers)," Estelle Ople Osorio told reporters during her mother's wake.

[Translation: She also mentioned setting up a cancer fund for OFWs.]

"May iba pa siyang pet project para sa mga kababaihan naman for domestic workers para makapag upskill sila from domestic worker to other career opportunities na gagawin namin with my cousins sa Ople center," she added.

[Translation: She has another pet project for female domestic helpers to upgrade their skills and explore other career opportunities. This is something we will continue with my cousins at the Ople center.]

Estelle also thanked the public for their messages of support and sympathies to their family.

"Nakakatulong po sa pag-heal namin lalo na yung mga story ng natulungan niya, lalo na yung [It helps us heal, especially when we hear stories of those she had helped, especially the] private personal stories of how warm my mom is as a human being not as a secretary," she said.

RELATED: Diplomats pay tribute to late Migrant Workers Chief Susan Ople

Estelle said the late secretary was a fighter despite the hardships of being a single mother.

She vowed to continue her mother's advocacy at the Blas Ople F. Policy Center, which the late Migrant Workers chief founded back in 2004 to provide legal and reintegration assistance to OFWs.