ILOILO CITY – More than 200 students were taken to various hospitals after fainting due to foul odor in Sibalom town, Antique province on Wednesday.
ONE of the more than 200 students taken to the hospital after a massive fainting incident in two schools in Sibalom town, Antique province on July 2. (Office of Rep. Legarda)
The victims were mostly pupils of Pis-anan Central Elementary School and students of Pis-anan National High School.
The Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, in a report to the Office of Civil Defense-6, said the victims complained of extreme chest pain and difficulty breathing starting 8 a.m. and fainted.
“Initial accounts suggest that the symptoms were triggered by a strong foul odor emanating from an alleged insecticide spray,” the Antique PDRMMO said.
“The spray was dispersed around the vicinity of the school premises. The chemical odor is believed to have drifted into the school grounds and classrooms, exposing students and staff,” added Antique PDRMMO.
Mayor Gian Carlo Occeña placed the town under red alert following the incident.
Gov. Paolo Javier and Congressman AA Legarda said that the government will shoulder the medical bills of the victims.