The Department of Education (DepEd-6) is investigating the reported food poisoning incident in the town of Ajuy, Iloilo.
The incident resulted in the death of one student and the hospitalization of several others from Pili National High School.
In an official statement, DepEd-6 said it tasked its Legal Unit to “conduct further investigation on the case.”
“The school, together with the Schools Division Office of Iloilo, is currently in coordination with the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Ajuy to address the needs of the affected learners and personnel and to conduct further investigation on the case.”
The deceased learner, identified as Ricky Ann Angel Bacacao of Barangay Malayu-an, Ajuy, “was initially rushed to a hospital on [Nov. 4], but was not admitted.”
“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,” DepEd-6 said.
“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.
Fifteen other students and four DepEd employees were hospitalized after experiencing stomachache and vomiting.
“Based on the incident report from the Schools Division of Iloilo, the learners together with their adviser had lunch in their classroom where students brought a variety of food,” the education department said.
Meanwhile, the local government unit (LGU) of Ajuy vowed to shoulder the medical expenses of the victims and extend assistance to the family of the fatality.IMT
