Snacks down 134 in Makati school

MANILA, Philippines - At least 134 students of Makati City’s Pio del Pilar Elementary School were hospitalized for food poisoning yesterday morning.

City spokesman Gilberto de los Reyes said 44 students were rushed to the Ospital ng Makati and 90 to the Palanan Health Center.

The victims, from Grades 4, 5 and 6, complained of vomiting and abdominal pains.

De los Reyes said the incident happened after the 9:30 a.m. recess period, when the students bought food at the school canteen.

Janina Bianca Ortiz of Ospital ng Makati said they have yet to identify what triggered the suspected food poisoning as most students claimed buying and eating biscuits only.

She stressed though that food samples have been taken from the canteen for laboratory examination.

Mayor Romulo Peña visited the victims and assured their parents of government assistance, including payment of hospital bills. He also ordered the city’s health department and the police to investigate the incident.