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MANILA — More than 200 individuals in Agusan del Sur were rushed to the hospital this week due to suspected food poisoning, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said Wednesday.

Some 216 people in Barangay Tandang Sora in Esperanza town were hospitalized on Monday night due to stomachache and vomiting, the PRC said in a statement, citing health officials from the provincial government.

As of Tuesday night, PRC Agusan del Sur Chapter reported that 90 patients had already been discharged.

Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr. on Tuesday ordered the suspension of PRC Agusan del Sur Chapter's food aid distribution to flood evacuees after many of them experienced stomachache and vomiting. 

"The welfare of the people is of utmost concern to us and we are doing everything we can to ensure that every individual taken to the hospital is out of harm’s way at the soonest time," the PRC said.

The PRC added that it has also suspended its hot meals program in the province as authorities investigate the health emergency. The humanitarian group has been providing support and hot meals to affected residents due to the recent flooding in Mindanao. 

"Rest assured that PRC supports the investigation. PRC remains transparent and will closely coordinate with the local government on this serious matter," the PRC said.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority personnel on Monday distributed free drinking water using potable purifiers to residents in Barangay Lapinigan, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, as the province also struggled to get safe drinking water due to the flooding.