The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform–chaired by Senator Cynthia Villar–convened on Wednesday, May 15, to deliberate on Senate Bill (SB) 2458. This proposed legislation aims to amend Republic Act (RA) 8485, also known as the Animal Welfare Act, addressing critical issues such as animal overpopulation, rabies incidence, and the inadequacy of existing animal welfare programs.
Advocating for Responsible Pet Ownership
Senator Grace Poe, the bill's primary author, highlighted the pressing need for improved animal welfare measures. "Despite their worth and value to human society, many animals are neglected, deliberately abandoned, starved to death in animal pounds, or fall victim to animal cruelty. On the other hand, some irresponsible pet owners have permitted their unvaccinated pets to cause nuisance, fear, or harm to their communities," Poe stated during the hearing.
Poe emphasized that while the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) under the Department of Agriculture (DA) is responsible for national animal welfare, local veterinary services have been devolved to local government units (LGUs). This has resulted in a shortage of veterinary personnel, particularly in smaller municipalities, causing cities to struggle with inadequate resources. SB 2458 seeks to empower the DA by providing sufficient budget and permanent personnel to address these challenges effectively.
Addressing Animal Cruelty and Overpopulation
Senator Cynthia Villar echoed Poe's concerns, noting the persistent issue of animal cruelty despite existing laws. "The main problem that our country faces with regards to animals are stray, and neglect, with countless dogs and cats left to fend for themselves, often succumbing to hunger, disease, or accidents, overpopulation, the lack of education in terms of animal welfare, and responsible pet ownership," Villar remarked.
Villar pointed out that in 2022, the Philippines had about 13 million stray dogs and cats, posing significant public health risks due to diseases like rabies, leptospirosis, and other parasites. To combat this, Villar mentioned initiatives such as the free "Libreng Kapon at Ligate" project for spaying and neutering dogs and cats in the cities of Las Piñas and Bacoor, aiming to curb the overpopulation problem.
The Human Health Impact
The senators also discussed the severe human health implications of stray animals, particularly rabies. Villar recounted a tragic incident involving a 13-year-old who died after contracting rabies from a dog bite, underscoring the urgent need for population control of stray animals. "So, that's our problem. We need to do population control, especially for the poor, because they won't have money to feed the dogs and cats born out of their pets," Villar emphasized.
Both senators called for increased public awareness and education on responsible pet ownership, as well as stricter penalties for animal welfare violations. By passing SB 2458, they hope to foster a more humane and safe environment for both animals and people in the Philippines.
