More than 110 students from the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF), based in Lucena City, Quezon province, were hospitalized after suffering from alleged food poisoning during an educational tour in Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte, on Wednesday.
According to MSEUF’s official statement on Thursday, the affected students and faculty members were brought to the Immaculate Conception Hospital in Baybay City after experiencing symptoms of foodborne illness hours after returning from their island trip.
All second-year Tourism and Hospitality Management students and faculty members involved are now in stable condition and recovering well, the university said.
‘Most students have fully recovered, while others are awaiting medical clearance,’ it added in its advisory.
The incident reportedly involved 177 students and 10 faculty members managed by IM Travel Corporation, a tour agency based in Tacloban City. The students were served meals during the trip, catered by Blitz Grill, a Palompon-based food service provider.
The local government of Palompon expressed deep concern over the incident, saying it has launched a joint inspection and investigation through its Municipal Health Office, Business Permits and Licensing Office, Municipal Council for Culture, Arts, and Tourism, and Municipal Environment and Eco-Tourism Office.
‘A thorough investigation is still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident and to establish accountability,’ the LGU said in a statement.
It added: ‘We continue to monitor the situation and extend our full cooperation to all concerned agencies and parties. The safety, health, and welfare of all visitors to Kalanggaman Island remain our top priority.’
In a separate statement, Warblitz Martinez, owner of Blitz Grill, denied any wrongdoing, stating that their catering service complies with food safety and sanitation standards. Martinez said all 187 guests were served lunch between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and had already returned to shore by 2:00 p.m. without any complaints.
‘The reported health concerns were raised almost 12 hours later, after the guests had already eaten dinner elsewhere,’ Martinez said. ‘Based on medical facts, food poisoning symptoms normally appear within one to six hours if caused by contaminated food.’
Martinez added that Blitz Grill has been operating for 22 years with a clean record and is fully cooperating with authorities to ensure a fair and thorough investigation. ‘We kindly ask the public not to jump to conclusions or spread unverified accusations while the investigation is ongoing,’ she said.
Meanwhile, the MSEUF extended its gratitude to the Baybay City government, hospital personnel, and local agencies for their swift response, as well as to the Lucena City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit for their readiness to assist.
Kalanggaman Island is a small yet world-renowned sandbar island in Palompon, known for its pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and picturesque sandbars that extend on both ends of the islandKalanggaman is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Eastern Visayas and is managed by the local government unit (LGU) of Palompon./coa