The City Government of Tagum has confirmed that a swarm of native honeybees, locally known as putyukan, attacked individuals in a specific area within the 25-hectare Energy Park in Barangay Apokon on April 9, 2025. A total of 43 individuals were stung, prompting immediate action from local authorities to address the situation.
In a statement released on April 10, the Tagum City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRMMO), in coordination with the City Agriculture Office, quickly mobilized trained beekeepers to carry out fogging operations in the affected area to control the swarm. Additionally, personnel from the City Mayor’s Office were dispatched to ensure the safety of the affected individuals. They assisted with providing medical treatment and immediate relief to the victims and their families.
The statement also provided an update on the condition of the victims: “In this incident, 43 individuals were affected and were promptly transported to the Davao Regional Medical Center. As of yesterday’s update, 39 of the patients have been declared stable and discharged, while as of 1 p.m. today, April 10, the remaining four are still recovering.”
As of the latest update, authorities are investigating the cause of the bee attack and taking necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The City Government emphasized the importance of public safety and reminded residents to avoid approaching or disturbing the bees, especially without the guidance of an expert.
The statement further noted: “The City Government of Tagum gives top priority to ensuring the safety of our public spaces for all Tagumeños, especially our youth. This includes conducting regular fogging activities to prevent similar incidents from occurring.”
Despite the incident, the Energy Park remains open and continues to operate during its regular hours. Local authorities reassured the public that steps are in place to ensure the safety of visitors in the future.