The Ibalong Festival in Legazpi City returned after a four-year hiatus but the opening parade was marred by students fainting due to the extreme heat. 

Medical response was not as quick as expected. 

Almost 10,000 students joined the parade but extreme heat caused several of them to faint. Because there was but a limited number of ambulances, tricycles had to be utilized to transport the students to the hospital. 

Water was distributed to other students. 

"Napakainit po kasi ng panahon at yung ibang mga students po dehydrated na kaya prone sila ngayon sa pag-faint," Jumar Roca, a teacher, said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Legazpi City Division Office did not say, as of this writing, how many students fainted exactly. 

It has provided assistance to the students together with the local government. DepEd said participation in the parade was not mandatory for students.

The local government of Legazpi City, for its part, acknowledged the need for better planning in future events.

Mayor Geraldine Rosal said while participation this year was higher than expected, future events may need to be organized better to ensure the safety and comfort of participants.

"Nahiling ta po su disadvantage, kasi medyo harayo talaga su pinaradahan, kaya siguro next time around, pag maorganized kita... iconsidera ta su welfare kan mga mairba sa parade," Rosal said.