TACLOBAN CITY, May 9 -- Rising cases of snake bites this dry season have prompted some officials in Eastern Visayas to request for more anti-venom medicines to prevent deaths in areas far from primary hospitals.

In Mapanas, Northern Samar, Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano has sent a letter to the Department of Health (DOH) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) indicating the request.

This followed the deaths of two farmers after being bitten by a Philippine King Cobra in April.

"Both victims accidentally stepped on the venomous snake while farming," Tejano told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.

Having a ready supply of anti-venom is an advantage because their town is located two hours away from the provincial hospital in Cata...