TO FULLY recover from sepsis, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella will take a three-week break, as recommended by his doctors, starting on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
The mayor was also on medical leave for three days from May 31 to June 2, 2021, after he was hospitalized due to “slight pneumonia.”
Read more:
Mayor files medical leave, will be back on June 3
Infected ear forces Labella to take 2-day break from work
Labella said that when he was hospitalized in January due to an ear infection, he was strongly advised back then to take a couple of months off work in order to rest and fully recuperate.
“While I was at the hospital, and after thorough tests, I was told that I had sepsis or blood infection. I almost died,” Labella said on his Facebook page.
He further said: “Apan, dili nako maako nga magpahuway samtang dako kaayong hagit ang giatubang sa atong syudad (But I could not bring myself to rest while the city was facing a big challenge).”
In January, Cebu City experienced a second surge of Covid-19 cases.
Labella said so much had to be attended to at that time, the reason he decided to continue to work and “my health momentarily took a back seat.”
The mayor said now that the City is in a stable situation and cases are down and vaccination of constituents continues, he will finally heed the advice of his doctors.
In his absence, Vice Mayor Michael Rama will serve as the acting mayor of Cebu City for the next three weeks, while City Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros will serve as acting vice mayor.
Labella also tasked City Administrator Floro Casas Jr. to keep all operations running in City Hall.
Labella said that even as he focuses on his recovery, he will continue to monitor the City.
“It is in the spirit of transparency and accountability that I am making public the state of my health. I have come to realize that it is important for me to focus on my recovery, so I can also take care of the people of the City of Cebu. I am not getting any younger. Mapasalamaton ko sa Ginoo nga (I thank God that) I got a new lease on life and I promise you that I will come back better and stronger. Sa akong mga kaigsuonan (To all my brothers and sisters), I am asking for your prayers for my full recovery. I know that I can get through this with all of your support,” Labella said. (MVG, PAC)