By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas announced he will return to office on Monday, December 9, after being on medical leave since late September.
Treñas began his medical leave on September 26 due to health issues requiring surgical intervention. He successfully underwent a bile duct operation on November 11 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig, Metro Manila.
The surgery addressed a bile duct blockage that had caused jaundice and resisted prior treatment attempts through endoscopic procedures.
“I lost weight because I underwent a major operation with an incision over 1 foot long, and at my age, now 68, recovery is quite slow,” Treñas said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday, December 4, coinciding with his birthday celebration.
Treñas expressed gratitude to those who prayed for his recovery but also took a swipe at critics.
“I thank everyone for your prayers, even those who attack me. I hope you also prayed for my recovery. But if your prayers were for something else, well, that’s on you,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his health challenges, Treñas urged fellow public officials to prioritize their well-being to better serve their constituents.
“As leaders, we also have to take care of ourselves. Because ultimately, while we want to serve, we cannot serve properly unless we are healthy,” he said.
The mayor noted that his health may have declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he worked long hours managing the city’s programs and projects.
