For fighting to expand free spay and neuter services for cats and dogs nationwide—a move that would prevent scores of homeless animals from being born only to suffer and struggle to survive on the streets—and her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of animals throughout the Philippines, Senator Grace Poe is a PETA Asia 2024 Person of the Year.

This year, Poe has been pushing for the passage of her landmark Senate Bill 2458, the Revised Animal Welfare Act, which would combat the homeless animal overpopulation crisis by allocating vital government funding for no-cost sterilization services. The bill would also provide funding for disaster relief efforts for animals, bolster animal welfare standards and enforcement, strengthen penalties for violators and allow officials to deputize trained volunteers as Animal Welfare Enforcement Officers to assist in the rescue of abused, neglected and otherwise mistreated animals. In an impassioned speech in the Senate, Poe said that “the urgency and enormity” of cruelty to animals “calls for all hands on deck”—moving her fellow lawmakers to designate the bill as a priority.

Poe invited PETA Asia to collaborate on her animal welfare agenda as part of her technical working group, allowing PETA Asia to propose an amendment banning the import of elephants into the Philippines—which would spare the animals from languishing in the misery and loneliness of captivity. The Revised Animal Welfare Act is currently under consideration in committee.

“Cats, dogs, and other animals across the country have a tireless champion in Senator Grace Poe, who has put their needs front and center in the Senate,” says PETA Asia senior vice president Jason Baker. “PETA Asia is delighted to honor Senator Grace Poe as our 2024 Person of the Year, and urges everyone to follow her lead by speaking up for animals in need and always spaying or neutering companion animals.”

Around 12 million dogs and cats are homeless in the Philippines at any given time. Many struggle to survive on the streets—where they often go hungry, are deliberately injured or killed, or get hit by vehicles—while others languish in overcrowded shelters because of a lack of suitable homes for them. Spaying and neutering can prevent scores of animals from being born into a world already bursting at the seams with homeless ones. Sterilized animals also live longer and happier lives, are less likely to develop cancer of the reproductive system, and are less likely to roam, fight, or contract deadly contagious diseases.

PETA’s Ampon Alaga program focuses on reducing the companion animal overpopulation crisis in the Philippines by offering free “kapon” and ligation services to indigent animal guardians. The program also promotes the adoption of native dogs and cats, rescues animals in need, and finds them loving homes. For more information, please follow the program on Facebook or Instagram.