Labella returns to CH next week

CEBU, Philippines — After more than a month of working from home due to an ear infection, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella announced yesterday that he is reporting back to work at the City Hall next week.

Labella, in a virtual press conference yesterday, said he is feeling better now and is just heeding his doctor’s advice to avoid crowded places for the meantime.

“I’m feeling better, I’m doing better,” said Labella.

“Ang ako lang, I’m just following the doctor's advice nga because of my age, senior citizen, and because of the immunocompromised nako nga sitwasyon, nilikay una ko nga mosagol og daghan nga crowded spaces, especially with this new variant now gikan sa nagkalain-laing lugar,” he added.

In preparation for his return to City Hall, Labella ordered for his office to be cleaned and disinfected.

“Anyway, mga next week siguro moanha nako kay ako na sa’ng gipalimyohan gyud, disinfect ang akong kitchen ug akong private diha nga (area) para kung naa koy importante na mga suwaton or tun-an, mao may pirme nga pagalimpyohan sa akong janitress nga na-COVID sad intawon,” the mayor said.

The City Hall was closed yesterday afternoon as the whole building has undergone disinfection.

For over a month, Labella has been holding office at his residence. He, however, assured that his physical absence from City Hall has not affected the delivery of basic services.

The mayor said overseeing the city from his home was also a preventive measure since there are some City Hall employees who tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier, he disclosed that two of his office staff tested positive for the virus.

Labella started working from home on January 25, 2021 after a three-day medical leave due to an ear infection. He, however, maintains constant communication with the Emergency Operations Center in the fight against COVID-19, as well as with his department heads, especially on important matters that need his immediate action. —FPL (FREEMAN)