Nearly 200 students and two teachers fainted reportedly due to heat exhaustion while participating in the grand parade that marked the opening of the intramural meet at a school in Isabela City, Basilan on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the heat index in the city that day reached between 33 to 41 degrees Celsius.

“They fainted, lost consciousness due to heat exhaustion. Hinimatay dahil sa init ng panahon. Umabot po siya ng between 33 to 41°C (heat index),” CDRRMO Head, Uso Dan Salasim, said.

Based on records from the Basilan National High School, up to 187 non-athlete students and the two teachers were brought to the hospital.

Of these, 152 have already been discharged while 35 are still admitted but are conscious and expected to be released, soon. The two teachers have also been discharged.

The school principal said most of the students affected have not eaten lunch.

“Karamihan po sa sagot nila, hindi sila nakapag lunch dahil sa excitement nila after 6 years bago nabigyan ng oportunidad na magkaroon ng ganito na mga activity. Hindi lang sa classrooms ang learning na makuhanan natin,” Basilan National High School Principal, Dr. Arnel Balang Hajan, said.

The school assured it will shoulder the hospital expenses of the individuals affected with the help of the local government.

Hajan explained that the guidelines set by the Department of Education (DepEd) regarding outdoor activities were followed.

“We adhere to DepEd guidelines that no outdoor activity from 10 o’clock in the morning to 2 o’clock in the afternoon. That‘s why we commenced our opening and grand parade at 2 o‘clock kahapon,” Hajan added.

The school also advised students and teachers with pre-existing health conditions to remain at the grandstand and refrain from joining the parade.

The intramural activities, however, continued as scheduled.