Iloilo City established 10 animal welfare desks in police stations to address complaints and concerns related to the care and treatment of pets, particularly dogs and cats.
According to Dr. Fernando Abulencia, the City Veterinarian, these desks will be established at various precincts of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Trained animal welfare enforcement officers—police officers equipped with knowledge of animal welfare laws and ordinances—will staff the desks.
“This initiative will make it easier for residents to report concerns about animal cruelty, welfare issues, and other related complaints,” Abulencia stated during an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo.
The desks will also assist in filing blotters and legal cases related to animal welfare violations, offering a direct avenue for residents to seek justice for mistreated animals.
Iloilo City is the second highly urbanized city in the Philippines to implement this forward-thinking program, which forms part of the Animal Welfare Ordinance recently approved by the City Council.
A ceremonial launch for the animal welfare desks took place on Friday morning at Tanza Esperanza Police Station 7, signifying a major step forward in the city’s dedication to animal welfare.
“This initiative underscores our collective commitment to protecting animal rights, promoting responsible pet ownership, and ensuring accountability under the Animal Welfare Ordinance,” said Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon in a Facebook post, commending the program’s launch.
