Bacolod City Administrator Mark Mayo has advised employees of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and clients who processed business permits at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Friday, January 16, to seek medical consultation should they experience stomach discomfort following the distribution of donated food.
The advisory was issued after a BPLO staff member discovered a foreign object in one of the cups of donated arroz caldo served at the center. Mayo described the object as “a black, solid material with unpleasant odor”, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Distribution of the arroz caldo began at approximately 9 a.m., with the discovery made around 10 a.m. Mayo clarified that the fork used by the employee came from their own office, while the cups were provided by the donor. The foreign object was noticed when the staff member scooped food from the cup using the fork.
The exact nature and origin of the object have yet to be determined as the City Health Office (CHO) continues its investigation.
Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Grace Tan, who also heads the CHO–Environmental Sanitation Division, said “the laboratory examination will take approximately three days, with results expected to be available by Monday.”
Mayo explained the purpose of the advisory is to ensure transparency, stating “individuals who may have consumed the food that they have the right to be informed of the incident, allowing authorities to take a proactive rather than reactive approach.”
He added the notice is intended to ensure “anyone who may experience complications in the coming days can immediately seek medical attention and appropriate intervention.”
An estimated 300 servings were prepared and distributed. No cases of stomach illness had been reported yesterday – including from the employee who discovered the object.
Tan said the City Health Office in Burgos Street will remain open on Saturday and Sunday to accommodate consultations related to the incident. Individuals who develop symptoms such as abdominal pain, stomachache, diarrhea, or vomiting are advised to seek immediate care.
Mayo further disclosed that the donor voluntarily submitted the foreign object for laboratory analysis, assuring “once results are confirmed, the city government will immediately inform the public if the object is found to pose any health risk.”
As of the latest update, around 200 employees have visited the CHO satellite office for precautionary consultations, with no complications observed. The consultations were conducted as preventive measures.
Mayo reiterated “there is no cause for public alarm,” noting the city government is closely monitoring the situation.
In response to the incident, he has issued a memorandum regulating the acceptance and distribution of donated food within the BCGC. Authorities noted the same donor provided arroz caldo the previous week without incident.
The Bacolod City Government assured the public it “remains committed to safeguarding the health and safety of its employees and constituents, pending the results of the ongoing investigation.”*
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