20-3-2024 (MANILA) The Senate Plenary Hall witnessed an unprecedented sight as furry companions took their place alongside lawmakers during Senator Grace Poe’s impassioned plea for the passage of Senate Bill 2458, also known as the Revised Animal Welfare Act.
Senator Poe’s speech on Tuesday saw several dogs, including those owned by legislators, among the audience, with some of them being rescued pets.
In her address, Poe underscored the significance of animals not just as sources of livelihood but as crucial contributors to emotional well-being.
“Sadly, despite their worth and value to human society and the existence of laws criminalizing cruelty to animals, many of them are still maltreated, neglected, and tortured,” Poe remarked.
Through her proposed bill, Poe aims to bolster the Department of Agriculture’s capacity to address animal welfare concerns by establishing a dedicated bureau with adequate funding and permanent staff. This legislation is intended to support the Department of Agriculture in implementing policies and ensuring accountability.
The bill also outlines the creation of a village animal welfare task force to tackle issues related to animals at the local level.
Expressing optimism, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri pledged to prioritize the bill, urging fellow senators to consider making the Senate’s new building in BGC, Taguig, pet-friendly.
Senator Poe’s bill has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform for further deliberation.
