At approximately 10:03 A.M. today, July 8, 2026 while regular classes were in progress at Sorsogon National High School (SNHS), the school community was alarmed by the presence of a strong and undesirable odor that affected several areas of the campus.

Based on the school's initial investigation, the odor allegedly originated from a diesel fuel leak involving a backhoe operating at the SSU construction site, which is adjacent to Building 5 of the SNHS Annex. It was reported that diesel fuel leaked from the equipment's hose or fuel tank, releasing strong petroleum fumes that reached the fourth floor of Building 5 and drifted toward the school perimeter and nearby classrooms.

As a result of the incident, numerous students experienced dizziness, headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing, and other forms of physical discomfort. The situation caused panic and disrupted the normal conduct of classes, prompting the school to immediately activate its emergency response protocols to ensure the safety and welfare of all learners and personnel. Fortunately, the situation was managed promptly, preventing further escalation or any stampede.

The school expresses its deep concern over the incident, as activities involving heavy equipment and hazardous materials near educational institutions must be carried out with the highest degree of care, responsibility, and strict adherence to safety standards. Incidents of this nature pose significant risks to the health and safety of learners, teachers, and school personnel.

We respectfully appeal to the appropriate government agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, determine accountability where warranted, and implement the necessary corrective and preventive measures, including the imposition of appropriate sanctions should any negligence be established.

Above all, we call upon all stakeholders to work together in ensuring that schools remain safe, secure, and conducive environments for learning.

The SNHS Administration