At least 85 schoolchildren from Brgy. Villa Teresita Elem. School this town were rushed to Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital Friday morning following an alleged mass food poisoning after eating locally-made foodstuff called “ampao.”

In a check made by The Chronicle at the hospital, it was learned  66 of them were discharged from confinement the following day while the 19 others remained admitted and were declared in stable condition. No casualty was reported while samples of the foodstuff is under laboratory examination.

Those admitted still when the The Chronicle team arrived at the hospital were  Marvin Gunting, 11; John Lawrence Bersano, 11; Shiela Mae Maboloc, 10; Honey Joy Mendez, 9; Nel Christian Beru, 8; Reymart Mantica, 9; Ralph Lyza Cachapero, 8; Venisse Laga, 7; Yether Oclarit, 11; Jane Acibal, 5; Jamaica Acibal, 8; Alyanna Maboloc, 9; Tracy Mitch Abestano, 10; Arvin Jay Mantica, 8; Lea Grace Borlas, 8; Lovely Joy, 10; Mae Ann Batuan, 12; Jethro Rosario, 11; and Jenilyn Sagusay, 12.  

Saturnine Mapute, the school principal said that during recess time at about 10 o’clock in the morning on that day, she received an information that there were six pupils from Grade Six complaining of stomachaches, dizziness and vomiting that she immediately made rounds to other classrooms and found out that there were about 35 others who suffered the same. Sensing the number to be alarming, Ms. Mapute said she had to call an assistance from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) thru Municipal Mayor Galicano Atup that would transport the same considering that Brgy. Villa Teresita is 18 kilometers away from DEDVMH.

On the other hand, the school head revealed that there are about eight stalls selling foodstuffs including the controversial “ampao” inside school compound and they had been on the trade for several years already and only this time misfortunes happened.

In the same vein, Ms. Mapute expressed her gratitude to hospital staff more particularly Dr. Mutya T. Macuno, the chief of hospital for giving prompt attention and accommodation to the patients. She is also thankful to Ubay Mayor Atup, second district representative Erico Aris. Aumentado and Liga ng mga Barangay president, Ubay Chapter, Violeta  Reyes for their unselfish assistance to the victims. (Wenny Reyes)