Legarda seeks Senate inquiry into improper disposal of pet remains, calls for stricter regulation of cremation services

Senator Loren Legarda has filed Senate Resolution No. 759, seeking an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the reported improper disposal of deceased dogs and cats in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and the adequacy of existing regulations governing pet cremation and aftercare services in the Philippines.

The resolution follows reports of the discovery of the remains of deceased dogs and cats in several areas of the City of San Jose del Monte, allegedly linked to a pet cremation service provider whose customers claimed to have paid for cremation services that may not have been performed as represented.

Legarda strongly condemned the incident, emphasizing the need to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported dumping and hold those responsible accountable under the law.

“Our pets are cherished members of our families. Entrusting their remains to a cremation service is a final act of love and respect. To allegedly exploit that trust, collect payment for services that may not have been rendered, and discard their remains without dignity is unconscionable,” Legarda said.

The Senator called on the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, and other concerned authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, determine possible violations of existing laws, and pursue appropriate charges wherever warranted by the evidence.

Through the resolution, Legarda seeks to examine whether existing laws and regulations provide adequate safeguards for pet owners, particularly in the licensing, operation, and inspection of pet cremation and aftercare establishments.

The proposed inquiry will also examine standards for the proper handling, transportation, cremation, and disposition of deceased pets, including requirements for maintaining accurate records, verifying cremation procedures, and ensuring that the cremated remains returned to pet owners are properly identified.

Legarda likewise called for closer coordination among the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Departments of Trade and Industry, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, and the Interior and Local Government, and concerned local government units to clarify their respective regulatory and enforcement responsibilities.

“Pet owners deserve assurance that the services they pay for are performed properly and that the remains of their beloved companions are treated with dignity. We must examine the gaps in our existing regulations and establish appropriate safeguards to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” she said.

The Senator also expressed solidarity with the affected families, emphasizing their right to know the truth and seek appropriate remedies.

“Sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng kanilang minamahal na alaga, nakikiisa ako sa inyong dalamhati at galit. Hindi dapat samantalahin ang inyong pagtitiwala, lalo na sa ganitong pagkakataon. Karapatan ninyong malaman ang katotohanan at makamit ang katarungan,” Legarda said.

“Compassion for animals does not end with their passing. We owe them dignity, and we owe their families honesty, respect, and accountability,” Legarda concluded. (30)
_______

Legarda, nanawagan ng imbestigasyon sa umano’y pagtatapon ng mga labi ng alagang hayop sa Bulacan

Nanawagan si Senador Loren Legarda ng imbestigasyon sa Senado kaugnay ng naiulat na hindi wastong pagtatapon ng mga labi ng aso at pusa sa Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, kasabay ng panukalang higpitan ang regulasyon sa mga negosyong nag-aalok ng cremation at iba pang serbisyo para sa mga namatay na alagang hayop.

Inihain ni Legarda ang Senate Resolution No. 759 upang alamin ang mga pangyayari sa likod ng insidente at suriin kung sapat ang umiiral na mga batas at regulasyon upang maprotektahan ang mga may-ari ng alagang hayop laban sa panloloko at iba pang iregularidad sa ganitong mga serbisyo.

Kasunod ito ng mga ulat tungkol sa pagkakatuklas ng mga labi ng aso at pusa sa ilang lugar sa San Jose del Monte na umano’y may kaugnayan sa isang pet cremation service provider. Ilan sa mga kliyente nito ang nagsabing nagbayad sila para sa cremation ng kanilang mga alaga, ngunit may mga pagdududa kung talagang isinagawa ang serbisyong kanilang binayaran.

Mariing kinondena ni Legarda ang insidente at iginiit na kailangang matukoy ang tunay na nangyari at mapanagot ang sinumang mapatutunayang lumabag sa batas.

“Our pets are cherished members of our families. Entrusting their remains to a cremation service is a final act of love and respect. To allegedly exploit that trust, collect payment for services that may not have been rendered, and discard their remains without dignity is unconscionable,” ani Legarda.

Hinimok din ng senador ang National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), at iba pang kinauukulang awtoridad na magsagawa ng masusi at patas na imbestigasyon upang matukoy ang mga posibleng paglabag sa batas at maisampa ang nararapat na kaso batay sa mga ebidensiya.

Layunin din ng panukalang imbestigasyon na suriin kung may sapat na pamantayan sa pagbibigay ng lisensiya, operasyon, at inspeksiyon ng mga establisimyentong nag-aalok ng pet cremation at iba pang serbisyo para sa mga namatay na alagang hayop.

Kabilang sa nais busisiin ang wastong paghawak, pagdadala, pag-cremate, at pangangasiwa sa mga labi ng namatay na alaga. Saklaw din nito ang maayos na pagtatala ng mga transaksiyon, pagpapatunay na isinagawa ang cremation, at pagtiyak na ang mga abong ibinabalik sa mga may-ari ay talagang mula sa kanilang alagang hayop.

Nanawagan din si Legarda ng mas malinaw na koordinasyon sa pagitan ng Department of Agriculture, sa pamamagitan ng Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, at mga lokal na pamahalaan upang matukoy ang kani-kanilang tungkulin sa regulasyon at pagpapatupad ng batas.

“Pet owners deserve assurance that the services they pay for are performed properly and that the remains of their beloved companions are treated with dignity. We must examine the gaps in our existing regulations and establish appropriate safeguards to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” ani Legarda.

“Sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng kanilang minamahal na alaga, nakikiisa ako sa inyong dalamhati at galit. Hindi dapat samantalahin ang inyong pagtitiwala, lalo na sa ganitong pagkakataon. Karapatan ninyong malaman ang katotohanan at makamit ang katarungan,” ani Legarda.

“Compassion for animals does not end with their passing. We owe them dignity, and we owe their families honesty, respect, and accountability,” pagtatapos ng senador. (30)