HUNDREDS of students from Pis-anan National High School in Barangay Pis-anan, Sibalom, Antique, were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals due to exposure to toxic fumes on the morning of July 2, 2025.
The students were believed to be exposed from an insecticide spray conducted around the school around 7:30 a.m. after which several students complained of chest pains, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, and fainting at around 8:30 AM. And was rushed to the nearest hospital.
Soon after, most students from both Pis-anan National High School and Pis-anan Central Elementary School were also began showing the same signs and symptoms.
At 3:45 p.m. the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), reported a total of 323 students were affected.
Of these, 209 were treated at Ramon Maza Sr. District Hospital, 33 at Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital where one student was confined, and 82 were attended to at the Barangay Pis-anan triage.
The Emergency Operations Center of the Sibalom Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council remains on red alert to ensure fast coordination and response.
The Schools Division Office of Antique issued an official statement expressing deep concern over the incident. “As of this writing, more than a hundred learners have been brought to the nearest hospitals for immediate medical attention,” the statement read.
“An investigation, by proper authorities, is currently underway to determine the source, nature, and cause of the alleged chemical exposure. The heads of the affected schools have been directed to implement distance modular learning while containment, decontamination, and safety assessment procedures are being conducted,” the division office added.
The Department of Education (Deped) in Antique, through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit, is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units to assist affected individuals and determine the source and cause of the chemical exposure.
Heads of the affected schools have been instructed to implement modular distance learning as containment, decontamination, and safety assessments continue.
Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 is now conducting an investigation on the incident.
Currently, there are 11 students that remains under treatment and observation at a hospital in Sibalom, and 31 in San Jose, Antique.
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