Meralco, Bulacan Provincial Veterinary office join hands to champion animal welfare

Every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and compassion. Guided by this belief, Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), through its animal welfare program CATropa, has partnered with the Bulacan Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) to promote responsible pet ownership, humane animal care, and safer, more compassionate communities.

Held on October 8 to 9, 2026, the two-day initiative brought together Meralco employees and volunteers, veterinary professionals, and residents for humane animal handling training and free spaying and neutering services for community and owned pets.

The initiative underscores importance of collective action in protecting animal welfare. By equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to handle animals humanely and helping manage pet populations responsibly, Meralco and the Bulacan government are working toward communities where both people and animals can live safer, healthier lives.

Mission PAW-ssible

The Bulacan PVO trained personnel of Meralco and its subsidiary MIESCOR on proper handling of community animals within company facilities. The activity also included humane trapping of cats for sterilization – which will require the commitment of Meralco’s Plaridel Sector and San Rafael Service Center in implementing the company’s Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-and-Return (TNVR) program.

“Our personnel are often the first to encounter community animals in our facilities, which is why it is important that they know how to handle these situations safely and humanely. Proper trapping and handling help prevent unnecessary stress and harm to animals while keeping our people safe. Through TNVR and our partnership with the Bulacan Provincial Veterinary Office, we are strengthening our efforts to manage community animal populations responsibly and promote a safer environment for both people and animals,” said Mich Caguioa, Head of Advocacy Communication and Meralco CATropa Program Manager.

Spay it Forward

Key to this initiative were the free spaying and neutering services to 100 cats and dogs owned by residents of Barangay Agnaya in the municipality of Plaridel. Anti-rabies vaccination and other veterinary services were also provided through the Bulacan PVO’s veterinary medical mission.

On a broader scale, the activity aims to address animal overpopulation and reduce the risk of rabies transmission, contributing to the health and safety of both animals and the communities they live in.

With Bulacan among the provinces reporting a high number of animal bite incidents and rabies cases, initiatives that promote responsible pet ownership, vaccination, and accessible veterinary services are important in protecting public health and safety.

“We are grateful for partnerships like this that allow us to bring veterinary services closer to communities. By working together to promote responsible pet ownership, vaccination, and spaying and neutering, we can help manage animal populations humanely and reduce the risk of rabies transmission. These efforts are important not only for animal welfare but also for the safety and well-being of our communities,” Dr. Jonathan Ramirez, DVM, Provincial Rabies Program Coordinator, said.

Residents also welcomed the initiative, which made essential veterinary services more accessible to pet owners.

For Meralco, these initiatives reflect its commitment to extending its malasakit beyond electricity by working with local governments and animal welfare partners to promote responsible and sustainable animal care.

“Responsible pet ownership and humane animal population management require the collective effort of communities, local governments, and animal welfare advocates. Through CATropa, we hope to strengthen these partnerships, make essential veterinary services more accessible, and encourage more communities to take part in protecting both animal welfare and public safety,” said Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga.

Since its launch in 2024, Meralco’s animal welfare initiatives have benefited more than 800 cats and dogs within and beyond company properties through humane population management and community-based programs. Through CATropa and Spay It Forward, Meralco continues to promote responsible animal care and build safer, more compassionate, and sustainable communities.