Fast and reliable results for animal disease diagnostics can now be done in Caraga Region with the inauguration of the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Molecular Laboratory on May 25.

Situated at the DA’s Integrated Laboratories compound in Brgy. Taguibo, Butuan City, the P7.2 million laboratory will cater to the public starting in June of 2022.
Dr. Esther Cardeño, Chief of Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) said that the facility is an upgrade of their testing capacities and capabilities with the use of the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).

“This diagnoses technique is capable of identifying bacterial and viral Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA), the newest trend in laboratory at par with the global standard,” Cardeño said.
With the establishment of the molecular laboratory, RADDL will now be able to offer laboratory services for African Swine Fever, Classical Swine Fever or Hog Cholera, Avian Influenza, Porcine Parvo Virus, Porcine Respiratory Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS), Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), and Surra.
“Before, samples were sent to a laboratory in General Santos City and will take 3-5 days for results to be released. But with our own molecular lab, results can be released into 1-2 days,” Cardeño added.
National Livestock Program Director Dr. Ruth Miclat-Sonaco who grace the occasion underscored the importance of the facility in boosting the livestock industry.
“We cannot over emphasize the importance of this molecular laboratory in the region. It will make things easier for all of us primarily in the diagnosis of animal diseases. It also helps in strengthening monitoring and surveillance efforts on emerging and re-emerging livestock diseases in your area of responsibility,” she said.
DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. also emphasized the participation of local government units and private sectors in accessing the services of the molecular laboratory. “Even how good our laboratory and programs of DA is, if our partner stakeholders would not embrace it, would be hard for us, it’s a matter of collaborating and coordinating. So, I urged everyone to support us and work with us,” Oñate said.
Partner LGUs who are present during the inauguration are also optimistic about the new lab in helping their provinces. “The initiative of DA-Caraga is laudable especially now with the emerging or re-emerging of animal diseases not only here in our region but in other areas of the country,” said Provincial Veterinarian Life Shiela Cubillanes of Surigao del Norte.

With funding from the DA’s Livestock Program, the facility supports one of the 18 key strategies of OneDA Reform Agenda on Food Safety and Regulations and the modernization of agri-
infrastructures in support of food security. (Aurelius P. Arais with reports from Kent Warren Fuguso)