Another student in Sibalom, Antique was rushed to the hospital past 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025. The student also complained of nausea, dizziness, and chest pain.
Based on data from the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), at least 268 students have inhaled noxious fumes. Over 70 have been confined in hospitals, while others are under observation.
The affected students are already in stable condition, according to the Antique Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The students complained of body malaise after inhaling foul odor resembling rotten guava morning on July 2, 2025 while classes were going on in Pis-anan National High School and Pis-anan Central School.
"The patients are being cared for by our medical experts in the field that they should be in. Our community is also being monitored by our community specialists,” said Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo, head of Antique PHO.
As of this writing, reevaluation is conducted to determine whether other patients may be dispensed from the hospital.
According to a psychiatrist who has attended to the students, acute stress reaction could have possibly led to the body malaise.
"Patients na kahit stable na sila, may mga symptom pa na akala nila, psychological. Maka-provide tayo ng psychological first aid (para) mabigyan sila ng tamang information,” said Dr. Florence Matthew Besares, psychiatrist at Ramon Maza, Sr. Memorial District Hospital.
Meanwhile, an assessment on residents in the vicinity of the schools is also carried out.
"Binabantayan namin kung may new na case at same symptom rin. Wala namang new case as of the moment so walang pina-evacuate,” said Dr. Cecille Balensoy, medical officer of Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital.
Further, specimens collected from students and swab samples from around the schools have been submitted for diagnosis to determine the source of the foul fumes inhaled by the students.
"We have taken urine samples kasi for the urine, mas ma-identify siya. Swab sa sorroundings. Ang laki kasi ng area, we will be needing more time for that (diagnosis),” said Dr. Rommel Garganera, head of Antique Provincial Department of Health (DOH) Office.
Aside from the collection of specimens, investigation is ongoing in the barangay.
“Most probably, malapit ang source. So siguro, diyan lang sa area (nanggaling) ang toxic o hazardous material. Tingnan natin kasi may mga gamit daw na brand, o spray. Iyan ang sabi nila,” Broderick Train, head of Antique PDRRMO, said.
In-person classes are still suspended in the said schools. A shift to modular learning has been mulled.
“Dapat ang ating eskwelahan, ready sa ganyan. It’s a lesson learned. May mitigation sa health-related na klase ng happenings. Dapat may coordination, additional technical assistance,” Eric Cortejo, spokesperson of the Schools Division Office (SDO) Antique, said.
As for Antique Governor Paolo Javier, he thanked members of the medical community for the prompt response.
“I am very thankful sa ating mga medical family for helping each other sa ating mga kailangan para sa mga pasyente,” Javier said.
The patients are being attended to at the Ramon Maza, Sr. Memorial Hospital and Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital, as well as at the Triage Area mounted in the Pis-anan Barangay Gymnasium.
