Individuals, mostly students in Sibalom, Antique who were rushed to the hospital after suffering from chest pains, difficulty in breathing, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness already reached a total of 345, as of Thursday, July 3, 2025.
The students are from Pis-anan National High School who complained of body malaise from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 2, 2025, based on an interview with Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Head Broderick Train by GMA Super Radyo Iloilo.
According to Train, investigation is ongoing to establish whether the spraying of chemicals from a nearby farm may have caused the incident.
As of this posting, experts including toxicologists from the Department of Health (DOH) are conducting tests and environmental monitoring.
Train pointed out that while the number of patients reached over 300, no residents in the area were affected but were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Pupils of Pis-anan Central School were also evacuated immediately as a precaution.
The Provincial Operation Center has raised a Red Alert status following the incident.
In a statement, the Antique Provincial Health Office (PHO) said that all affected individuals who earlier "experienced symptoms such as headache, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and even loss of consciousness have received prompt medical care at Ramon Maza, Sr. Memorial District Hospital and Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital."
"An inter-agency investigation is now underway to identify the exact cause and source of the exposure. Ensuring public safety remains our highest priority. Emergency response teams and health personnel have been mobilized to manage the situation and safeguard nearby communities," PHO added.
Further, PHO urged the public to obtain official updates from credible sources only:
"We strongly advise the public to avoid the affected area while the investigation is ongoing. Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, refrain from sharing unverified information that may cause unnecessary harm, and rely on credible sources only for official updates."
DEPED 6 ISSUES STATEMENT
The Department of Education Western Visayas has expressed its “deep concern over the unfortunate incident that occurred on July 02, 2025 involving learners of Pis-anan National High School and Pis-anan Central School, respectively who experienced breathing difficulties, stomachache, and chest pains allegedly due to the inhalation of chemicals from a farm near the schools.”
The statement read that “DepEd Antique through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Unit, is closely coordinating with the concerned local government units (LGUs), the Department of Health (DOH), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that all affected individuals receive proper care and support.”
While investigation is being facilitated, the said schools have been instructed to shift to distance modular learning while decontamination is conducted.
“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. Psychosocial support services are being arranged for the affected learners and their families,” DepEd 6 added.
(Courtesy: Province of Antique, DepEd Tayo Western Visayas)
