PANGANTUCAN, BUKIDNON — What was supposed to be a routine day of labor turned into a tragedy for a local farming family after a 48-year-old farmer lost his life to a venomous snake bite on Thursday afternoon.
The victim, identified as Jose Ariel Gualvez, was reportedly clearing weeds in a rice field in Barangay Bangcud when the incident occurred. According to local authorities, Gualvez was struck by what witnesses and health officials believe was a Philippine Cobra—a species known for its highly potent neurotoxic venom.
Family members who were nearby rushed to his aid after hearing his cries. Gualvez was immediately transported to the nearest provincial hospital, but despite the best efforts of the medical team, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Doctors noted that the venom had already affected his respiratory system by the time he reached the facility.
“It happened so fast,” a grieving relative shared. “One moment he was working, and the next, everything changed. We tried to get him help, but the hospital was quite a distance from the farm.”
The incident has sparked renewed calls for caution among the agricultural community in Bukidnon, especially during the harvest and planting seasons when snakes are often displaced from their natural habitats.
Local health officials are urging farmers to:
- Wear Protective Gear: Use thick rubber boots and long pants when working in high grass.
- Use Tools First: Use sticks or bolos to clear paths rather than reaching into thickets with bare hands.
- Seek Immediate Help: In case of a bite, keep the victim calm and still while rushing to a facility that stocks anti-venom.
The municipal government of Pangantucan has extended assistance to the Gualvez family and is currently coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that anti-venom supplies are readily available in rural health units to prevent similar fatalities in the future.