Philippines: over 300 students in Antique hospitalised after inhaling chemical fumes

On Wednesday morning (July 2), over 300 students from Pis-anan National High School in Barangay Pis-anan, Sibalom, Antique, were admitted to hospitals after allegedly inhaling fumes believed to be from an insecticide spray. The incident occurred between 8.30 and 9 am, when several students complained of chest pains, dizziness, and breathing difficulties. Panic quickly spread among school staff and parents when the number of ill students continued to grow, involving both Pis-anan National High School and Pis-anan Central Elementary School members. According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), a total of 323 students were affected. Over 200 of them were treated at Ramon Maza Sr. District Hospital, while the remaining ones received medical care at the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital and 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 coordination and a fast response to eventual new cases.
All students complained of chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and weakness. An investigation is underway to identify the source and nature of the chemical exposure. The heads of the affected schools have been instructed to implement modular distance learning while containment, decontamination, and safety assessment procedures are being conducted. Meanwhile, psychosocial services have also been arranged to help the affected students and their families cope with the incident.