The people of this coastal town have all the reasons to thank their lucky stars for having survived what could have been another tragic incident in the same barangay more than five years ago where 27 school children died of cassava poisoning. In a scene reminiscent of a similar incident that happened April of 2005, ago, 14 people including seven minors fell victim to food poisoning in Barangay San Jose, Mabini town, the other day. According to Mayor Esther Fostanes-Tabigue and V-Mayor Stephen Rances, the situation is now well under control and most of those hospitalized in Ubay and Talibon were already discharged from confinement. The victims were rushed to the Don Emilio del Villa Hospital in Ubay and Garcia Memorial Hospital in Talibon.

The seven minors included a 16-year-old girl, two four-year-olds, and four others aged 11, 5, 10 and 9. Also listed among the victims were Marivic Sanayon, 26, married; Roly Sanayon, 36, married; Luzviminda Dupit, 33, married; Marilyn Sanayon, 34, married; and Federico Sanayon, 33, married; all of Sitio Banat-e, Barangay San Jose, Severino Cumado, 35, married and Maribel Cumado, 30, married, all of Barangay San Jose. The incident took place about 6 am Friday in Sitio Banat-e, Barangay San Jose. Government personnel including elements of the police, Department of Social Welfare and Development and municipal health center responded to the alarm with a rescue operation. Initial reports revealed that the seven minors and the seven adults complained of food poisoning after eating expired chocolate and biscuits. They were brought home by a daughter of the Sanayons who had just arrived from Manila . The food included a popular brand of chocolates, fried chicken and pork. According to witnesses, the arrival of the young lady was met with the usual warm welcome by family and neighbors. Of all the food being suspected to be behind the poisoning, Rances got information that the biscuit was spoiled leading to beliefs that it was the culprit. Those who went to the Sanayon home were served with biscuits, chocolate, fried chicken and pork.

A few hours later, however, the victims started to complain of stomach ache prompting concerned residents to bring them to the hospital. Two of the victims who were rushed to the provincial hospital in Talibon remained confined at the time of this writing. Mayor Tabigue immediately ordered the municipal health officer to bring the suspected poisoned food to the provincial health office for examination. Tabigue said the 12 other victims have been declared safe and were already allowed to go home. She added that the municipal government has provided financial assistance to the victims and their families. The provincial government also sent assistance to the victims. Meanwhile, Gov. Edgar Chatto has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and ordered that the food suspected of causing the food poisoning undergo lab examination. Two of the victims displayed fear more than the others because the memories of the food poisoning five years ago were still fresh in their minds. It will be recalled that a food poisoning broke out in San Jose on March 9, 2005 which claimed the lives of 27 children while a total of 101 children were brought to the hospital for treatment.