Safeguarding the ‘voiceless’

A recently filed Senate bill that seeks tougher animal welfare standards and imposes stricter penalties on violators embodies the essence of kindness, paving the way for a world where animals are cherished, respected and safeguarded.

In a world increasingly defined by its technological prowess and relentless pursuit of progress, it is all too easy to overlook the humble creatures with whom we share our planet.

Incidents of animal cruelty in the Philippines have abounded over the years. A young man in Cebu City splashed hot water on a dog and a cat on 19 February. In Angeles City, Pampanga, three suspects slaughtered a dog and used its meat for "pulutan," which is typically eaten while consuming alcohol. A mall security guard reportedly threw a child's puppy from a footbridge, resulting in the animal's death.

Back in 2020, an animal rights group took legal action against five veterinarians from the Manila city pound, filing criminal cases with the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged animal cruelty — the overcrowding of 60 cats in a small cage and leaving them to die without food, water or medicines. 

The Philippine Animal Sanctuary and Rescue revealed a heartbreaking reality: the streets of the country are overrun with countless stray pets, abandoned and neglected by irresponsible owners.

Most forsaken creatures, predominantly cats and dogs, face a rapidly escalating population due to unplanned street mating and unwanted litters. Presently, the dog population in the Philippines stands at approximately 11.6 million, supposedly safeguarded by Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

This legislation, painstakingly championed by groups and advocates in the Senate and Congress, is a bittersweet testament to the uphill battle for animal welfare

The cruel fate of stray dogs and cats remains an enduring dilemma. Regrettably, in the Philippines, countless dogs and cats face a grim end as they are regarded as societal nuisances, leading to their widespread euthanization. Shockingly, an average of 200 dogs meet this tragic fate each month in every city pound.

Senate Bill 2458, or the Revised Animal Welfare Act, filed by Senator Grace Poe on 12 October, answers the pressing need for comprehensive animal protection measures. It echoes the call of animal activists and advocates, and pet lovers and owners, for compassion.

While we revel in our achievements, we must remember our inherent responsibility to protect and cherish the beings that inhabit the natural world alongside us.

The plight of domestic animals subjected to neglect, abuse, and exploitation didn't escape the senator's urgent attention. With the moral imperative that we, earth stewards, inherently possess the bill rises to defend those who cannot speak for themselves.

In proposing the creation of an Animal Welfare Bureau under the Department of Agriculture that will have city, municipal, provincial, and regional offices, the ethical considerations of animal protection extend far beyond mere sentimentality.

By safeguarding the welfare of animals, we not only display our empathy but also honor our duty to preserve biodiversity and ensure the planet's sustainability for the next generations.

There's nothing to lose but more to gain if we heed the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Upholding the rights of animals hinges on the crucial interplay of legislation and enforcement. Animals, too, have rights.