Probe underway as Subic hotel apologizes for alleged food poisoning

INQUIRER FILES / STOCK

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A hotel inside this free port has issued a public apology after a suspected food poisoning affected village officials from San Carlos City in Pangasinan.

In a statement on Thursday, Aug. 8, Jorgen Michael Te,  director of sales and marketing at Subic Bay Travellers Hotel (SBTH), announced that the hotel management was investigating the cause of the alleged food poisoning in coordination with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the Olongapo City government and other agencies,

Te confirmed that food samples from the breakfast and lunch meals were sent to the Department of Health Region 3 for analysis.

He said water filters, samples of filtered water, and ice cubes from the hotel’s ice maker were submitted to Subicwater for testing.

“The hotel management commits to defray medical and hospitalization costs and whatever needs may be necessary to alleviate the concerns of those affected,” said Te.

While awaiting the test results, Te assured the public that the hotel would implement measures to ensure the safety of all stakeholders in every aspect of its operations.

“The overall comfort and well-being of hotel guests remains the primary mission of the hotel, and we commit to stringently undertake corrective actions to ensure premium quality service for our guests,” he added.

SBTH also thanked San Carlos City Mayor Julier Resuello, the SBMA, the Olongapo City government, and the Philippine Red Cross for their prompt emergency response.

Armie Llamas, deputy administrator for corporate communication at the SBMA, said the laboratory results from the food samples were expected within four to five days. Water filter test results are anticipated within 24 to 48 hours.

Despite the ongoing investigation, the hotel’s restaurant remains operational. The Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD) has issued a show-cause order to the establishment.

On Wednesday, 163 village officials, primarily Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from Pangasinan, exhibited symptoms of food poisoning after consuming lunch at the hotel during a seminar.

The affected individuals were taken to hospitals within the freeport and nearby Olongapo City, but have since been discharged and returned to Pangasinan.

In a phone interview, Mark Jerico Calma, an SK councilor from Barangay Ano in San Carlos City, noted that two of his five colleagues who attended the Gender Awareness and Sensitivity seminar experienced symptoms of food poisoning.

According to Calma, the chop suey served during lunch had a sour taste, raising concerns about its freshness.

The first batch of the three-day Gender Awareness and Development seminar, which began on Aug. 5, was organized by the San Carlos City local government and attended by more than 300 SK officials, including the mayor, vice mayor, and city council members.

Due to the incident, the San Carlos City LGU has canceled the second batch of the seminar, which was scheduled for Aug. 7–9 at the same hotel. INQ