At least 11 students in Canlaon City, Province of Negros Oriental were rushed to the hospital after falling ill.

The incident happened while a flag-raising ceremony was ongoing at the Patrociña D. Encarnacion National High School morning on July 7, 2025.

A post of the school principal, Dean Bryan Baylon, mentioned that the students experienced shortness of breath, one lost consciousness reportedly.

Others vomited, complained of stomach pains, and dizziness.

The students were immediately taken to the Canlaon District Hospital.

In an investigation, the School Governance and Operation Division of Canlaon City Schools Division Office said that the student who fainted was having a fever. While the student was being attended to, the rest of the students complained of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

 According to the Department of Education (DepEd) Canlaon, attending physicians at the Canlaon District Hospital found out that the incident is related to acid reflux.

The investigation rendered that the students, mostly female, ate mangoes while on their way to school. The mangoes were said to be picked from a tree along the way.

Further, it was determined that the students skipped breakfast as they were trying to catch up the flag-raising ceremony. The students walked over a kilometer to school.

The students, as of posting time, are already in stable condition. Nine of them were dispensed from the hospital, while two remain confined for fever.

Dr. Emelyn Bolongaita of DepEd Canlaon, pointed out that the incident has nothing to do with food poisoning.

GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak has reached out to the principal for his statement. However, in his post on social media, he said that the situation is already under control.

(with reports from Vic Camion)