KIDAPAWAN CITY — In a bold and compassionate move to safeguard public health and save lives, the Local Government of Kidapawan City has launched a proactive initiative to ensure that no resident will ever again die from venomous snakebites due to lack of medical intervention.
The initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Paolo Evangelista and Councilor Jun Piñol, was inspired by the tragic death of Harold Jay Abrenica, a 21-year-old engineering student who lost his life more than five years ago after being bitten by a King Cobra, locally known as “Banakon,” in Sitio Caloacan, Barangay Paco. Despite being rushed to a government hospital and attended to by medical professionals, Harold succumbed to the venom because the facility had no available anti-venom—the only lifesaving treatment for such cases.
His death, described as slow, painful, and heartbreaking, remains a painful reminder of the gaps in emergency medical preparedness. For local officials, it also became a call to action.
Determined to prevent a similar tragedy, Mayor Evangelista directed Councilor Piñol to explore all possible means of acquiring anti-venom for the Kidapawan City Hospital. Acting swiftly, Piñol undertook an official mission to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, where he personally met with RITM Director Atty. Ana Liza Hombrado-Duran.
During the visit, Director Duran provided a detailed list of requirements and procedures for acquiring anti-venom vaccines. She also confirmed that each vial costs approximately ₱4,000 and can be stored under controlled temperatures for up to two years. More importantly, she emphasized that local doctors and nurses can be trained to properly administer the life-saving serum.
This development paved the way for Kidapawan City to finally secure a sustainable supply of anti-venom, strengthening its capacity to respond to snakebite emergencies, especially in rural and farming communities where encounters with venomous snakes are more likely.
Recognizing that prevention and response must go hand in hand, Councilor Piñol also proposed the creation of “Task Force Salbar Buhay,” a specialized unit dedicated to addressing all concerns related to venomous snake attacks. The proposal is set to be deliberated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in an upcoming session.
The proposed task force will focus on preparedness, rapid response, public education, coordination with health facilities, and community awareness. It aims to ensure that victims receive immediate and proper medical attention, while also empowering residents with knowledge on how to avoid and respond to snake encounters.
Although records show that only one fatal snakebite incident has been documented in Kidapawan, local officials stress that the danger remains real and persistent, particularly for farmers, indigenous communities, and residents living near forested and agricultural areas.
By institutionalizing access to anti-venom and establishing a dedicated response unit, the city government is sending a clear message: no life should be lost due to preventable shortcomings in healthcare.
“This is about valuing every life,” Councilor Piñol emphasized in his post. “We will not allow another Kidapaweño to suffer the same painful fate.”
The initiative reflects the city’s commitment to responsive governance, evidence-based planning, and compassionate leadership. It demonstrates how local government units, when guided by empathy and determination, can turn past tragedies into meaningful reforms.
For the family of Harold Jay Abrenica and for countless residents who face daily risks in their livelihoods, the city’s vow of “Never Again” is more than a slogan—it is a promise backed by concrete action.
Through this life-saving program, Kidapawan City stands as a model of proactive public service, proving that when leaders listen, act, and care, communities become safer, stronger, and more resilient.