Senator Grace Poe believes a separate funding for animal welfare in the 2025 budget is needed to ensure the protection and humane treatment of animals.
“We will look at the fiscal space and see how much can be appropriated. But that item in the budget for animal welfare has to be very specific,” said Poe.
The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance said the animal welfare item can have programs and activities like neutering, spaying, anti-rabies shots, and support for local governments that maintain pounds for dogs and cats.
“It’s time for animal welfare to be reflected in the budget. We must put our money where our advocacy is,” she pointed out.
Poe earlier filed Senate Bill No. 2458 that seeks a revised Animal Welfare Act to strengthen animal welfare standards, policies, rules and regulations, implementation and enforcement, as well as provide tougher penalties to violators.
The proposed law proposes a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force to capacitate local officers to address the animal welfare issues with dispatch.IMT
