Consultation on revised IRR of Animal Welfare Act held

CEBU, Philippines - Envisioning strict implementation of the law, a public consultation for Visayas and Mindanao regions on the revised implementing rules and regulation of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 was held yesterday in Cebu.

The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 is otherwise known as Republic Act 8485 as amended by RA 10631.

Attending the multi-sectoral activity were representatives of government and private stakeholders.

An amendment has always been lobbied by certain groups over the years, said Department of Agriculture Committee on Animal Welfare chief Dr. Arwin Serrano.

Among the revised provisions were sections 1, 7, 9, 10.

Section 1 added the five basic freedoms of animals which assure “freedom from fear, distress, harassment, and unnecessary discomfort and pain, and allowing animals to express normal behavior.”

Section 7 further defined abandonment as “the relinquishment of all right, title, claim, or possession of the animal with the intention of not claiming it or resuming its ownership or possession.”

“Section 9 of the law tackles the penal provisions. As have been pushed by concerned organizations, there will be increased penalties and defined. It will now be penalizing on a graduated scale like if the animal has suffered and dies, a higher penalty is given to the violator. There is also stiffer penalty to those with animal suffering cruelty, survived but could not function normally,” Serrano explained.

Section 10 provides for deputizing non-government organizations, citizens groups, community organizations and other volunteers as animal enforcement officers provided they complete the necessary training.

Agencies tasked to designate deputized officers include the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies.

The consultation held in Cebu yesterday followed the one held in Manila two weeks back.

Data, including suggestions and reactions on certain provisions of the revised IRR, will be collated and incorporated in the committee report through a meeting this October 7, said Serrano.

Final draft of the IRR will then be submitted to the legal team of the Bureau of Animal Industry of the DA.

The team will then recommend the draft to the office of the DA Secretary, who will sign the revised IRR should no modification be needed.

Stakeholders are looking at the approved revised IRR of the Animal Welfare Act by the end of the year. —(FREEMAN)