The primary care facility of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental has advised schools to avoid planting or growing a plant known locally as tuba-tuba after students landed in the hospital after eating seeds of its fruit.

The facility made the recommendation in a public health advisory following the incident on August 12, 2026.

At least 17 Grade 5 students were brought to the hospital after they experienced stomachache and vomiting.

Investigation by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) showed that the students ate seeds of the tuba-tuba.

One student reportedly collected the seeds from the plants around the school and gave them to classmates.

“Na-finalize na namin sa investigation na iyan ang kanilang nakain. Ang tuba-tuba, gawa siya sa biofuel. Marami siyang content na chemicals. Sa mga magulang, i-educate niyo ang inyong mga anak na if possible, makita niyo ang tanim na ito, wag kainin,” said Richard Amante, OIC of the Cadiz CDRRMO.

The city's primary care facility said schools should just avoid growing the plant to prevent the same incident from happening again. 

The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Cadiz City assured it is looking into the matter.

“Ang teachers at school principal, kaagad namang nag-take ng action. There should be close monitoring,” said Nelbert Magno, Alternate Division Information Officer of DepEd Division of Cadiz City.

The students have since been discharged from the hospital.