More than seven hundred students and their teachers in Lapu-Lapu City were forced to wade through knee-deep floodwaters inside their classrooms following a heavy downpour, prompting a major health alert from education and city officials.
School Flooding Incident Details
A sudden three-hour downpour on Monday, December 1, 2025, inundated the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base Elementary School in Barangay Pajo. Principal Jerry Jimenez confirmed that at least 717 students and 43 teachers were exposed to the rising waters. The flood levels reached nearly knee-deep in some areas, forcing students to climb on top of their chairs for safety.
Jimenez immediately instructed that parents be contacted to fetch their children. As a precaution, he directed students to remain on their chairs until pickup. However, he reported that some learners still braved through the contaminated waters to exit the school.
Out of the school's total enrollment of 1,616 students, the flooding impacted a significant portion. Thirty-four of the 36 classrooms were affected, with the deepest waters found in the Grade 2 and Grade 3 classrooms at the front of the campus. While flood levels were lower in the Grade 4 and kindergarten areas at the back, water still seeped into those rooms.
Health Response and Leptospirosis Monitoring
The incident triggered an immediate response from the Department of Education (DepEd) Lapu-Lapu City Schools Division. Officials are now closely monitoring all exposed students and teachers for potential leptospirosis infection, a bacterial disease spread through contact with water contaminated by animal urine.
Assistant Superintendent Ronaldo Ferrer stated that the City Government, through the City Health Office (CHO), has committed to providing prophylactic treatment for any early suspected cases. This is especially critical for children with open wounds. DepEd nurses have been instructed to conduct monitoring visits to check on student health, with any signs of illness being coordinated with the CHO for appropriate treatment or prophylaxis.
To prevent future risks, materials and guidance for a leptospirosis awareness campaign will be provided to educate the school and wider community. While classes in the flooded rooms were suspended, lessons continued in unaffected areas of the school.
Available Medical Treatment and Citywide Cases
City Hospital Administrator Lynart Omnes announced that the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital is offering free leptospirosis prophylaxis, with treatment also available at local health centers. For children aged eight and under, alternative medications like azithromycin or amoxicillin are suitable.
The type and duration of prophylaxis depend on the exposure level. Omnes noted that children repeatedly exposed to floodwaters over a week may require weekly post-exposure treatment. He stressed that any child exposed to contaminated water is at risk, as the bacteria can enter through mucous membranes, cuts, or the mouth.
Parents of children showing symptoms like fever, muscle pain, or jaundice are urged to seek immediate medical checks. According to a Leptospirosis Surveillance Update from January 1 to November 24, 2025, Lapu-Lapu City has logged 28 confirmed cases with six fatalities. Cases were reported across multiple barangays, including Pajo where the school is located. In November alone, seven cases were reported, resulting in two deaths.
Omnes explained that leptospirosis can occur year-round, particularly in densely populated areas facing sanitation challenges, and remains a reportable disease in the city.
