13/03/2026
The National Stakeholder Consultative Meeting for the Establishment of the Snakebite Action, Logistics, and Antivenom Group–Philippines (SALAG‑PH) was conducted from March 9–13, 2026, in collaboration with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). The activity gathered representatives from various Poison Centers and healthcare institutions across the Philippines to discuss strategies for improving the country’s response to snakebite envenomation and other toxicological emergencies.
The consultative meeting aimed to strengthen national coordination and collaboration among toxicology experts, poison centers, hospitals, and government agencies. Key discussions focused on improving antivenom availability and logistics, enhancing clinical management of snakebite cases, strengthening surveillance and reporting systems, and expanding poison control services nationwide. Participants also exchanged experiences, current practices, and challenges in the management of snakebite and poisoning cases in different regions of the country.
The event was attended by several key stakeholders and experts in toxicology and public health, including Dr. Cherie Grace Quingking, Head of the Toxicology Center of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH); Dr. Nikka Pamela Hidalgo-Macoy; Lara Elize Itao from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; Dr. John Dave Comandante, President of the Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology; Dr. Patrick Tiglao, President of the Philippine Toxinology Society; Engr. Jocelyn Soria, Senior Supervising Program Officer of the Department of Health – Environmental and Occupational Health Division; and Dr. Rosally Zamora, Section Head for Infectious Diseases at East Avenue Medical Center; Maricon G. Vargas, Natural Science Department
Catanduanes State University. Their participation contributed valuable expertise in clinical toxicology, toxinology research, health program management, and policy development.
Throughout the five-day consultation, stakeholders worked toward developing a structured national framework for SALAG-PH, which will serve as a collaborative platform for snakebite management, antivenom distribution, training, research, and policy coordination. The discussions also emphasized the need to strengthen hospital preparedness, improve access to life-saving antivenom in underserved areas, and promote capacity-building for healthcare providers managing envenomation cases.
The establishment of SALAG-PH represents a significant milestone in strengthening the Philippines’ national response to snakebite envenomation, aligning with global initiatives to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by snakebites. By fostering multi-sectoral partnerships among healthcare institutions, poison centers, professional societies, and the Department of Health, the initiative aims to build a more coordinated, efficient, and responsive system for toxicology and poison control services nationwide.
