At least 133 persons from Lucena City, Province of Quezon were admitted at a hospital in the Province of Leyte for alleged food poisoning. 

The 133 persons are part of 187 students and teaching staff on an educational tour at Kalanggaman Island in Palompon town, Leyte. They were admitted at Baybay City Immaculate Conception Hospital. 

GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak tried to get inside the hospital but was prohibited by hospital management. 

The alleged food poisoning was reported on October 22, 2025. 

According to Baybay City Vice Mayor Ernesto Butawan, the group was from a tour in Kalanggaman Island in Palompon and took their lunch there before going to Baybay City.

It was found out that they took with them food items, including seafoods. 

“Gathered from the teachers katong nagdala sa mga bata, ang information nila ang mga pagkaon nabuwad sa adlaw and then almost one hour ang biyahe from Palompon sa isla. So mao nay duda nga maoy nakahatag nila og problema,” Butawan said. 

The students started falling ill by afternoon on October 22, 2025.  

Butawan said that the Local Government Unit of Baybay City responded immediately to the incident.

“Ang atong city government gabii pa lang gikuha na sila sa hotel gidala sa ospital. Maayo gani aduna tay kaugalingong hospital, wala ta mobiyahe og layo pa. Na-tratar man sila og sakto,” he added.  

The patients were discharged by October 24, 2025.

The group is set to go home to Lucena City evening on October 24, 2025. 

Baybay City shouldered the group’s medical expenses. 

“Ma-shoulder ra man sa government tanan nilang bayrunon, so the students, teachers, the school, wala silay i-shell out nga kwarta pambayad sa hospital. All expenses are shouldered by the government,” Atty. Florante Cayunda Jr., Baybay City administrator, said. 

Teachers of the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation refused an interview. But through an official statement, school officials confirmed that all tour participants are now in stable condition. The university also thanked the assistance extended by the Baybay City LGU. 

While Baybay City LGU initiated a probe into the incident, Palompon LGU also launched its investigation to determine the cause of the alleged food poisoning and make culprits accountable.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM MANUEL S. ENVERGA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION 

"The Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) confirms that all second-year Tourism and Hospitality Management students and faculty members who were brought to the Immaculate Conception Hospital in Baybay City, Leyte on October 22 are now in stable condition and recovering well."

"The group experienced symptoms of foodborne illness after their Kalanggaman Island tour and was promptly attended to by doctors and nurses. The Baybay City Government, led by Mayor Jose Carlos Cari,  Vice Mayor Ernesto Butawan, City Administrator Florante Cayunda, City Tourism & Investment Promotion Officer Josefina Granada-Gutierrez, and their travel agent IM Travel immediately assured full medical and logistical support for the affected students and faculty."

"The University extends its sincere gratitude to the Baybay City Government, hospital personnel, and local agencies for their generosity and swift assistance." 

"The safety and well-being of our Envergans remain our utmost concern. We are thankful for the care and compassion extended to our students and faculty."

"Most students have fully recovered, while others are awaiting medical clearance."

"The MSEUF community also thanks the Lucena City DRRMO and  City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU)  for their readiness to assist, underscoring the strong spirit of solidarity and compassion among partner institutions."

"The MSEUF is doing its best to ensure the comfort and well-being of its students, teachers and their dean."

(via Kevin Pilapil/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)