THE reported worsening of the problem of animal homelessness in the Philippines is something the Filipinos, particularly pet lovers from Batanes to Sulu, will never ignore.

In fact, disturbing reports said that animal homelessness in the country has reached a crisis point, with so many stray dogs and cats struggling to live in the streets and even in dark alleys.

Sometimes, stray animals cause vehicular accidents, killing and injuring pedestrians, passengers, motorists and even people living in houses and shanties lining streets and highways.

In 2019, there were an estimated 12 million stray and abandoned dogs and cats across this Southeast Asian country, according to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

Thus, with millions of stray and abandoned dogs and cats in the country, there’s now that urgent need to come up with pieces of legislation aimed at addressing the problem.

And we commend Senator Mark A. Villar for calling on his colleagues in the 24-member Philippine Senate to speed up the passage of Senate Bill (SB) No.2257.

SB No. 2257, otherwise known as “The Act Strenghtening the Adoption of Stray and Impounded Animals,” is pending consideration in the Upper Chamber of Congress.

In pushing for the passage of the bill, Villar expressed concern over the low adoption rate in the Philippines, which is less than one percent amid a large number of homeless animals.

The proposed legislation also seeks to encourage the adoption of stray and impounded dogs and cats by providing tax incentive benefits to groups and individuals who adopt these animals.

Senator Grace Poe, on the other hand, has also filed another bill that seeks to establish an “Animal Welfare Bureau,” which is mandated to promote animal welfare in the country.

The two proposed measures deserve the all-out support of the Filipino people, notably the millions of pet lovers.

AUTHOR PROFILE

People's Tonight