Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP) strongly condemned the poisoning incident that affected almost 268 students at Pis-anan National High School and Pis-anan Central School in Sibalom, Antique last month. The students suffered dizziness, headache, vomiting, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, and loss of consciousness on July 2.
An investigation confirmed the presence of cypermethrin, a type of highly hazardous pesticide (HHP), inside and outside the school, which the group described as “alarming and unacceptable.” This poisoned the students.
Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide that PANAP identified as one of the “Terrible Twenty,” the 20 most toxic pesticides with severe effects on children’s health. This chemical has long-term health effects such as respiratory problems, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, immunotoxicity, and a higher risk of breast cancer and diseases of the male reproductive system. Long-term exposure to the pesticide also causes Parkinson’s disease.
The group stated that the spread of pesticides in spaces that should be safe for students constitutes a serious violation of children’s rights and public safety. “This case is not an isolated incident but reflects a broader and systemic issue related to the unregulated use of HHPs in farming and their proximity to residential and educational areas,” PANAP further stated.
“We reiterate our call to the Philippine government and governments across the region to immediately phase out HHPs, including cypermethrin, and replace them with safe, sustainable, and community-driven agroecological practices,” PANAP said.
“The children must no longer be put in harm’s way due to irresponsible and unsafe agricultural practices,” the group added.
