The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed Monday that Secretary Eduardo Año will be on leave from his official duties as head of the agency until January 31.
(PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a text message, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya explained that Año who contracted the COVID-19 disease twice last year was advised by his doctors “to pace himself, to get plenty of rest, to prioritize his health and to further undergo some tests.’’
Año designated Undersecretary Bernardo Florece as officer-in-charge (OIC) during his leave of absence.
The DILG chief first contracted COVID-19 in March 2020 and recovered several days later.
But Año was tested positive for COVID-19 anew on August 15, 2020 after experiencing flu-like symptoms including sore throat and body aches on August 13.
He had himself tested for the virus the following day with the result coming out positive on August 15.
“Since Secretary Año’s hospitalization from COVID in August 2020, he has not taken a single day of leave; always working even during Sundays, holidays and even at night,’’ Malaya ended.