By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The new Negros Occidental Provincial Animal Learning Park and Hospital was inaugurated on the opening day of this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival yesterday morning.

The new facility, located inside the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan, will be used not just as a hospital for pets and livestock, but also for veterinary studies.

The facility is equipped with its own laboratory and has an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay machine for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests which detects avian influenza or bird flu, and African swine fever in animals.

On behalf of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the new facility is capable of performing diagnostics, medication and surgery for all pets and livestock.

“Na-testingan ko na dira. Ginpadala ko ang akon ido, nag-ayo gid,” Diaz said to the attendees of the event.

“So I can guarantee you, bakod gid ang aton [veterinarians],” he added.

Meanwhile, provincial veterinary officer Dr. Placeda Lemana said the new facility is now open to the public, not only for the treatment of pets or livestock, but also for children who want to learn more about animals.

Treatment prices are also more accessible and cheaper compared to the private veterinary hospitals or clinics operating in the province.

The Provincial Animal Learning Park and Hospital is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m./DGB, WDJ