The town of Lila is grappling with an outbreak of food poisoning, with the number of reported cases rising to 61, up from an initial 52.
Lila Mayor Arturo Jed Piollo II has confirmed the increase following reports on the 18th of April.
Symptoms among the newly affected include vomiting, diarrhea, and body pains, consistent with food poisoning.
Authorities are currently investigating to ascertain the cause of the outbreak.
The local government is awaiting laboratory results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) on food and water samples that are suspected to have been consumed by the victims.
Mayor Piollo has reported that the condition of those affected is improving, including the patients who were hospitalized.
He has also issued directives for the strict enforcement of food safety measures and urged the public to ensure the use of clean water to prevent further incidents.