KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — With the ongoing hot season increasing outdoor activities, the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital or SCPH is urging the public to avoid unnecessary trips to mountains and other areas where snakes may be present.
SCPH Supply Officer James Rendon said the public should exercise extra caution, particularly when engaging in activities such as hiking and mountain trekking to reduce the risk of snakebite incidents.
Rendon said the hospital purchased only 50 vials of snake-bite antivenom last April, as the supply depends on the allotment from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine or RITM in Manila, which the hospital personally picks up.
“Habang gumagawa tayo ng paraan para makakuha ng karagdagang supply, mabilisang nanawagan ang ating tanggapan sa publiko na mag-ingat nang husto para maiwasan ang anumang insidente ng pagkatuka ng ahas,” Rendon emphasized.
He added that as of this month, only 15 vials of antivenom remain in the hospital’s inventory, prompting authorities to call for greater vigilance among residents.
“Whenever possible, let us be cautious and avoid unnecessary mountain hikes or trips to areas where snakes may be present, especially since our antivenom stock is limited,” Rendon said.
Data from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer shows a fluctuating but persistent number of snakebite cases treated at SCPH in recent years from 109 cases in 2023, climbing to 137 in 2024, before easing slightly to 95 in 2025.
Koronadal City recorded the highest number of cases each year — 36 in 2023, 40 in 2024, and 32 in 2025 — consistently outpacing other municipalities.
A similar trend was recorded at Howard Hubbard Memorial Hospital in Polomolok, another designated snake-bite referral facility in the region.
The hospital logged 59 cases in 2024 and 99 in 2025, with patients from General Santos City (21 cases) and Polomolok (15 cases) posting the highest counts that year. Partial data for 2026 already shows 31 cases recorded so far.
The hospital officials are reminding the public to stay alert, take necessary precautions and avoid putting themselves at unnecessary risk of snakebite, particularly when exploring areas known to be inhabited by snakes.
