PROVINCIAL NEWS
Over 100 students hospitalized in Antique due to suspected insecticide fumes
More than a hundred students from two schools in Sibalom town in Antique were rushed to hospitals on Wednesday after experiencing dizziness, vomiting, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, reportedly due to inhaling a foul odor.
Initial reports from the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to the Office of Civil Defense-6 indicated that symptoms began around 8:00 AM, leading to fainting among some students. The affected individuals were primarily pupils from Pis-anan Central Elementary School and students from Pis-anan National High School.
The Antique PDRRMO stated that “initial accounts suggest that the symptoms were triggered by a strong foul odor emanating from an alleged insecticide spray” dispersed near the school premises. “The chemical odor is believed to have drifted into the school grounds and classrooms, exposing students and staff,” the report added.
According to Irene Duldoco, Information Officer of the Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) , 107 learners were taken to Ramon Maza Sr. District Hospital in Sibalom, while 29 others were brought to Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital in San Jose de Buenavista. This brings the total number of affected learners to at least 136, with some reports indicating the number could be closer to 200.
IPHO Chief Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo has reportedly coordinated with the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 6 to bring in a toxicologist to identify the specific chemical responsible for the students’ symptoms.
Following the incident, Sibalom Mayor Gian Carlo Occeña immediately placed the town under red alert and canceled the inaugural session of the municipal council to attend to the situation at the hospital. Classes at both Pis-Anan National High School and Pis-anan Elementary School were also suspended for the day.
Antique Representative Antonio Agapito Legarda and Governor Paolo Everardo Javier have both assured parents that the government will shoulder the medical bills for all affected students, with doctors and nurses from nearby municipalities augmenting the medical staff attending to the learners.
