The Department of Education in Western Visayas (DepEd-VI) said Wednesday it is investigating an alleged food poisoning that left one learner dead and others hospitalized in Ajuy town, Iloilo province.
In a statement, the DepEd said it has already tasked its legal unit to look into the matter as the DepEd worked closely with the local health authorities.
“The school, together with the Schools Division Office of Iloilo, is currently in coordination with the Rural Health Unit of Ajuy to address the needs of the affected learners and personnel and to conduct further investigation on the case,” the DepEd-VI said.
It noted that the deceased learner from the Pili National High School was initially rushed to the hospital Friday 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. 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.
On Saturday, 15 other learners 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,” it said.
The Ajuy local government, meanwhile, vowed to shoulder the medical expenses of the victims, as well as provide assistance to the family of the deceased learner.
The DepEd has earlier reiterated its stricter measures for food safety inside school vicinities to ensure the well-being of learners.
The department made the reiteration following another food poisoning incident in a school in Occidental Mindoro where 88 learners and six teachers experienced symptoms last Oct. 10.
Under Department Order 8, food being sold inside the school canteens must be subject to the local governments’ sanitary measures. Likewise, outside vendors are prohibited to sell on the school premises to ensure the “safety and health” of learners.
Source: Philippines News Agency