Wearing a white short-sleeved polo barong, Cainta Mayor Kit Nieto made a surprise appearance at Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, returning to work weeks earlier than expected following major heart surgery.

Many local residents and staff had anticipated Nieto would resume his duties in March. However, the mayor appeared in good spirits, celebrating his return by raffling off cash prizes to municipal employees.

At least 10 winners received prizes ranging from P500 to P5,000, with two lucky employees winning P10,000 each.

Immediately following the ceremony, Nieto traveled to the One Cainta Convention Center to lead the distribution of social pensions to senior citizens. He later returned to his office to meet with residents seeking financial and administrative assistance.

Nieto’s medical leave began 26 January after he experienced severe chest pains. An angiogram later revealed multiple blockages in all of his major arteries.

On 30 January, the mayor underwent a successful three-hour heart surgery.

Nieto is widely known among his constituents for his hands-on approach to local governance and for providing prompt solutions to resident concerns. His early return signals a full resumption of his responsibilities as the town’s chief executive.