The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is mourning the death of Undersecretary Joji Aragon.
It cancelled its regular media forum Monday in deference to her passing last Sunday from cardiac arrest due to COVID-19.
Rolly Francia, DoLE Information and Publication Service director, said Aragon, 58, has been on leave since she underwent procedure for kidney stone in the second week of December.
"The procedure went well, but developed symptoms of COVID," he said.
"She eventually got intubated and was on recovery but remained positive. She was about to undergo tracheostomy last week. Then the complication came about," Francia added.
He said Aragon's last personal contact was her driver who also tested positive but has since recovered.
A necrological service is being prepared for the Labor official this week.