Nearly 100 students from Sta. Lucia High School in Novaliches, Quezon City were rushed to nearby hospitals after experiencing symptoms of food poisoning.
The students complained of dizziness, stomach pain, and vomiting after drinking a certain shake and juice from their school canteen. Some students pointed out that it tasted bitter and soap-like. By 1:00 p.m. on Friday, most students made their way to the school clinic.
That night, over 80 Grade 8 and Grade 9 students were brought to Novaliches District Hospital and Bernardino General Hospital.
“His mouth suddenly started foaming and he was dizzy, he was throwing up because of the shake. I brought him to the school, then rushed him to the hospital,” Joseph Cañedo, whose child was one of the victims, told ABS-CBN News in Filipino.
He adds, “When we got to the (Novaliches) District Hospital, they declined to admit us. Same with Bernardino (General Hospital). We moved to NovaGen (Novaliches General Hospital), but they also refused us.”
Because these hospitals refused care, the parents were forced to bring their children to the clinic where some medical equipment were sent by the local government.
Quezon City Councilor Allan Francisco has ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, including the equipment and ingredients in the school canteen.
“For now, we’ve ordered all ingredients (of the shake and juice) to be put on hold to check the real cause,” Francisco said in Filipino.
According to the canteen vendor Marilou Tariman, she’s been in the canteen for five years and this has never happened before.
“We use mineral water , but maybe there was a mistake because we have new staff,” Tariman told ABS-CBN News in Filipino.
The parents of the victims have decided not to file charges against, but they are asking the school for medical and financial assistance after the incident. As of posting time, the school management has not issued a statement.
With report from ABS-CBN News
