Some 200 residents of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur who were recently affected by floods experienced symptoms of food poisoning, the provincial health office said Tuesday.

The 216 patients from Barangay Tandang Sora were rushed to different hospitals and neighboring health units on Monday evening after they experienced diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain, said provincial health officer Dr. Jacqueline Momville.

"Sa 216 cases, sa awa ng Diyos at sa ating pagsisikap, alive po sila lahat. Wala pa naman kaming na-pick up na nasa delikado nang kalagayan," she said in a press conference.

The patients included two children under 1 year old, Esperanza municipal health officer Dr. Maria Theresa Labiao said.

The town is a catch basin of water from nearby areas and the patients were affected by recent floods due to a low pressure area.

Some of the patients ate food donated by the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur chapter through a mobile kitchen.

Labiao said of the 1,000 recipients of hot meals form the mobile kitchen, only 20 to 22 percent experienced symptoms of food poisoning.

The local government could not conclude if the incident is food poisoning pending the results of an investigation.

Darwina Ligan, administrator of the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur chapter, said the "Hot Meals on Wheels" they provided for flood-affected areas were clean and safe to eat.

"The food was actually cooked in the food truck. It was still hot when our team served it. Our team even ate the same food that they served, and they did not experience food poisoning symptoms. That's why we cannot conclude yet if our food was the cause of the incident," she said in a local radio program.

However, the Philippine Red Cross suspended mobile kitchen operations today in two towns following the incident.

Esperanza Mayor Deo Manpatilan Jr. added that some of the patients complained about the bad smell of the food provided to them, while others did not report any issues with the food.

Labiao said that the investigation would look into the food preparation and distribution. Authorities will also get samples from the water in the community, she added. 

Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane said he would look into providing additional assistance to the patients amid the state of calamity declared in the municipality due to floods.

— Report from Hernel Tocmo