The Department of Agriculture's help has been sought to take a crucial role in crafting policies and initiatives that champion animal welfare across the country.

This as Senator Grace Poe filed Senate Bill 2458, or the Animal Welfare Act, which seeks tougher animal welfare standards, policies, rules and regulations, implementation and enforcement, and imposition of stricter penalties on violators.

Poe said SB 2458 proposes the creation of an Animal Welfare Bureau under the DA that will have city, municipal, provincial and regional offices.

"Basically, DA will form a policy, and in every local government, there should be an animal rights council," she said Saturday.

Poe lamented that some local government units operate pound dog centers but do not properly care for the animals.

The bill, she said, will task the DA through the AWB, "to monitor the compliance of local governments on animal welfare programs, standards, rules and regulations."

The AWB will also be mandated to implement a system for inspection of animal facilities to ensure adherence to animal welfare standards and regulations.

It will likewise provide the minimum standards on the appropriate food, water, and shelter for each species of pet and animal, depending on the age, breed, size, and special needs of the animals.

"Hopefully, we will get the cooperation of the DA in pushing for the bill because it's the agency that will be at the helm of implementation," she said, adding that various groups, including animal welfare advocates, have already expressed support for the passage of the strengthened Animal Welfare Act.

"Many animals are not cared for properly, but let's remember, how we treat animals, children, the weak, the most disenfranchised shows what kind of society we have," Poe said.