More victims hospitalized: Garden owner sorry

CEBU, Philippines - More victims of food poisoning in Barangay Sirao have been hospitalized days after the incident.

Even with 138 patients were discharged from hospitals, Cebu City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council head Nagiel Bañacia said new patients are still coming in for treatment as of Thursday afternoon.

Cebu City Medical Center Administrator Kenneth Siasar said these patients were admitted to Chong Hua Hospital, but they don't know how many have been admitted since the hospital cannot disclose patient information.

Bañacia said they investigated why there are still patients rushed there, and concluded that most of them may have resorted to self-medication.

"Duna man gu'y patients nga pag-igo na nila sa sakit sa tiyan, they took mga Lope-ramide," Bañacia said.

Bañacia said according to CCMC Assistant Hospital Director Dr. Anton Oli-ver Retosar III, if a person with diarrhea takes medicine like Diatabs or Lomotil, feces discharge would stop and bacteria would stay in the body, which causes the person to have fever.

"Mao to sila, nag-fever sila'g dako, unya naluya na og gumikan kay di na ma-antos sa lawas, then they decided to go to the hospital," Bañacia said.

There is no absolute figure yet as to how much the city government is spending on the treatment of these victims, Bañacia said.

"Maybe after Christmas we will know how much the city spent for that emergency," Bañacia said.

Siasar said the city government was able to cover the patients' medicines and laboratory expenses. They also sent folding beds and the Department of Social Welfare and Services also provided food for the patients.

"One thing is sure, those patients nga nadala sa CCMC and other government hospitals, and Guba, the city will cover all their expenses," Bañacia said.

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the council committee of public order and safety, reminded the public that when giving food to others, it should be checked well.

"Amping lang gyud kay lisod kaayo rung mga panahona. Malipay man gani ta nga naa'y manghatag unya mao to'y nahitabo. So, dugang pag-amping lang gyud," Tumulak said.

Meanwhile, the owner of the flower farm, Elena Chua, posted an apology on Facebook about the incident.

"From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely apologize for the tragedy that happened the other day. I was also devastated with the news because as God is my witness, He knows that all my intentions were good. He knows my heart and where I stand. I always promised the Lord and myself that with all the success and fame of Sirao Garden Little Amsterdam, I felt it was my God-given duty and a privilege to find ways to share the blessings given me. I reminded myself often that I would help the people in Sirao and allow them to see the beauty of the garden. That's all I ever wanted," Chua's post reads.

"My SHS-G childhood classmates and my CX colleagues, friends and family supported me in this outreach program. We prepared more than 300 sets of dried goods in a pail – canned goods, rice, instant noodles, apples, etc. And aside from that we included packed lunches of chicken and spaghetti which was catered by a family friend who also had every good intention to help. Everyone was so busy and pre-occupied with other things that we didn't notice that the spaghetti was spoiled.

"In this time of crisis, many of my friends all over the world have sent me messages and offers to help. My family, my childhood classmates, my CX colleagues and most especially our city mayor, Mayor Osmeña have all supported us tremendously. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

"We are more determined and wiser this time. This trial has served to make us stronger and more aware of our responsibilities not just as owners of Sirao Garden Little Amsterdam but as Cebuano citizens and as children of God.

"Very soon, I will be full time in the garden and I will personally oversee and manage the garden with my husband. We promise we will make the garden more beautiful, more fun and safer for everyone so all can enjoy the beauty of what God has given us. Sirao Garden is a gift from God I can never repay. All I can do is to share it. Thank you for your understanding and have a blessed Christmas!"

In a phone interview, Chua said "Magpaayo lang sila sa ilang lawas kay dili ko ma-discourage and I will go back to them. Ug pasalamat ko na nakasabot sila nako."

Chua said she was relieved that gradually, patients are starting to be discharged from the hospital, adding that she is still continuing to pray for their safety.

She said she's happy to hear that the patients are thankful that she did not abandon them.

Chua also hopes she will be able to give out food again during the feast of Sto. Niño.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña had said he will "not run after them for anything" since Sirao Garden Little Amsterdam did not even cater the food.

He said the caterers will also not be held liable because it was just "ignorance" that caused the incident.  (FREEMAN)