DepEd probing food poisoning incident in Iloilo school

The Department of Education (DepEd) Western Visayas said Wednesday it is now investigating the alleged food poisoning incident in a public school in Iloilo which resulted in the death of one student.

DepEd Region 6 said the incident happened on November 4 at the Pili National High School in Ajuy, Iloilo that led to the death of a learner, and the hospitalization of 15 learners and four DepEd personnel.

“Upon investigation, the deceased learner was first brought to Sara District Hospital and was advised to be admitted but refused to do so and went home,” the Education Department said in a statement.

“A few hours later, the learner’s condition got worse, and was rushed to Barotac Viejo District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival,” it added.

Citing an incident report from the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Iloilo, the DepEd said the students and their adviser had lunch in their classroom where students brought a variety of food.

Some of the students then experienced stomach ache and vomiting the following day or on November 5.

They were rushed to Barotac Viejo District Hospital where they were hydrated and started on intravenous antibiotics.

DepEd Regional Office VI said it tasked its legal unit to conduct further investigation on the case.

The Pili National High School and the SDO are also currently coordinating with the Rural Health Unit of Ajuy to address the needs of the victims and to conduct their own probe.

The Local Government Unit of Ajuy pledged to shoulder the victims’ hospital bills and extend financial assistance to the family of the deceased learner, while the school personnel and nearby public schools of Ajuy, Iloilo also initiated financial assistance to the victims, the agency added. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News