November 30, 2008 issue
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has set up a Regional Avian Influenza Diagnostic Laboratory (RAIDL) in Zamboanga City that would serve as a control center for the dreaded avian influenza virus or avian flu, commonly known as bird flu.
DA Regional Director Oscar Parawan said the RAIDL was inaugurated Thursday at the department's regional office with Assistant Secretary Dennis Araullo in attendance.
Parawan said the inauguration was followed by a workshop on Avian Influenza Protection Program (AIPP) that includes update on Avian Influenza Global Status and AIPP.
He said the participating local government units (LGUs) also presented their respective work plans.
He said the RAIDL would enable his office to determine the presence of avian influenza in this city in particular and the region in general.
He cited the importance of the RAIDL since Zamboanga City and the other parts of the region is the home to thousands of migratory birds due to the region's vast wetlands.
He noted that Zamboanga City, in particular, serves as the resting place for swallows where the kind of bird could be seen by the thousands at night time sleeping on electric cables in downtown areas.
The swallows usually flock to this city just after sundown and are leaving before daybreak.
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