PAWS: Include farm animals in National Disaster Preparedness Plan

MANILA, Philippines — Amid reports that cows were casualties of Super Typhoon Pepito in Nueva Vizcaya, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) believes that farm animals should also be part of the National Disaster Preparedness Plan.

In its official Facebook page, PAWS on Monday reiterated its call that the safety of farm animals should also be considered during times of calamities.

“PAWS has long called for the inclusion of farmed animals in the National Disaster Preparedness Plan. The reality is, many of them can be saved if they are simply considered in response and evacuation protocols,” the animal rights group said.

They further argued that livestock animals should not be reduced to mere financial figures in the Quick Response Fund during disasters.

Last Monday, there were reports on social media that said Magat Dam overflowed because of heavy rains triggered by Pepito, which reportedly resulted in the drowning of cows.

PAWS said that during calamities, people are ushered to evacuation sites for safety, but farmers are forced to leave their large animals behind to suffer the wrath of typhoons, which could lead to their deaths.

“In times of disaster, the government’s current approach is to just ‘compensate’ farmers for a portion of their lost animals through what is referred to as ‘Restocking Assistance’ in the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s Quick Response Fund,” the group said.

PAWS added that “the policy does nothing to protect the animals themselves and large animals are automatically considered ‘collateral damage’ – their value reduced only to how they can financially be replaced after they’ve suffered and perished in the floods.”

“With the right policies, proper planning and a collective effort, we can save the lives of farmed animals in disasters,” it also said.

PAWS recalled that during the Taal Volcano eruption in 2020, it partnered with the Lipa City Veterinarian’s Office and DA-Regional Field Office 4A and rescued 55 horses from Taal Volcano Island. Also rescued were cows, buffaloes, goats and pigs.