Gov. Petilla returns to work for good after minor heart operation

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
October 7, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla officially resumed his responsibilities at the Provincial Capitol, Thursday October 4, following his minor heart operation in the United States that afforded him three months leave of absence.

Speaking for the first time with the local media since he flew in to the province last week, the governor said, he is much in good health and is ready to return to work for good contrary to earlier speculations he may have to take more months away from his responsibility due to his failing health.

“I’m very much okay. I could have gone back to work earlier if not for my doctors’ advice. In fact, I have all the while been abreast of the goings-on inside the Capitol two days after my operation,” Gov. Petilla told media reporters gathered at the Governor’s Office.

The governor went under a mitral heart valve repair in Cleveland, USA on August 5. He stressed that he was an “ambulatory patient” all through out following his operation which took a total of six hours.

He told media reporters that his comeback would mean that he would just continue his program that has been in place and running since he formally took his oath for his second term as provincial governor last June.

He cited that among these programs currently underway is the ICOT Caravan, which actually started off prior to his operation in August. Already, the medical caravan launched by the governor has already covered 95 percent of the total municipalities in the province in giving free health services and medicines.

Meanwhile, the provincial government, and the province as a whole, according to the governor is gearing up again for this year’s commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landings.