TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA) – This city’s aviary is now open for public viewing at the Energy Park which is adjacent to the Department of Education (DepEd) Building and Bureau of Food and Drugs. The Birds’ Park displays African Lovebirds, Eclectus Parrots, White-Eared Brown Dove or Alimocon, Brahmies Kite or Banog, Red tailed Hawk, and Owl. City Mayor Rey Uy with Councilors Joedel Caasi, Oyo Uy, and Nickel Suaybaguio Jr. have visited recently the Bird's Park and have enjoyed feeding the birds. Uy commented that “it will be more educational for kids to encounter real birds in life form than simply see them in books or Internet.” According to aviary in-charge Nonito Dela Torre, the site will also establish a research center for birds' incubation and Birds' Intensive Care Unit (BICU) for weak birds during a sudden climate change. “Even us humans, it cannot be denied that we too can be sick in a year,” he said. At present, the birds are being fed with meat and fish from the Tagum Public Market and intestines coming from the slaughterhouse of this city.

D.O.H. VOWS SUPPORT TO LANAO HOSPITALS

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA) – In his first provincial visit, Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Enrique Ona has pledged support the six district hospitals in the province of Lanao del Norte. The assurance came when Ona visited the Lanao del Norte Provincial Hospital in the town of Baroy on October 14. “Secretary Ona’s visit here just proves his concern for the well-being of our people,” Lanao del Norte Gov. Khalid Dimaporo said. During the visit, Dimaporo also raised the accreditation issue of the Balo-i District Hospital. Being the newest of all the provincial hospitals, the Balo-i Hospital is not only catering to the healthcare concerns of its residents but is also serving patients from the municipalities of Pantar, Poona Piagapo, Pantao Ragat, Matungao, and Linamon. Ona is the first Cabinet member of President Aquino to visit Lanao del Norte.

SULU LAWMAKER CALLS FOR PEACE

JOLO, Sulu – Rep. Nur-Ana Sahidulla (2nd District, Sulu) has called for peace in Sulu, following the eruption of violence on October 5, that killed four persons and wounding several others, including a police officer. Sahidulla also appealed to the police and military officials to take appropriate action against the people who have created trouble in the municipality of Bangui-ngui in Sulu province. “I appeal to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo and the PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines) to take a particular look at Bangui-ngui, Sulu and  help us restore law and order in  the area of conflict,“ she said. She asked the top officials of the PNP and AFP to initiate an investigation aimed at identifying the people behind the incident which claimed four lives and wounding many others. “An investigation on the presence of these armed men, what they do and who are the leaders behind them, must be uncovered,” Sahidulla said. Sahidulla said the violence started when a group of men reportedly armed with M-16 and M-14 assault rifles and heavy weapons, forcefully occupied Barangay Kahikukuk. “I was informed that about four people were killed and several others were wounded, including one police officer,” Sahidulla said. (Nonoy Lacson)