Animal welfare advocate calls for ECQ exemption for animal rescuers

An animal welfare advocate called on President Rodrigo Duterte to allow animal rescuers to pass through checkpoints amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

According to a Stand for Truth report, Susan Espinosa said animal rescuers should be granted access to move freely to continue helping animals in need.

Espinosa added animal rescuers are frontliners as well.

“Nakakalimutan po natin ang mga hayop na wala namang kalaban-laban sa crisis ngayon. Totoong napakahirap pero mas doble-doble ang hirap sa mga stray dogs,” she said.

“Sa mga katulad ko po hindi po kami nakakatulog, iniisip namin ‘yong mga animals sa ganitong situation.”

Espinosa, who is from the boundary of Olongapo and Bataan, said she wants to be able to rescue stray animals so they can be fed and be given the care they need.

“Napakaraming barangay na nadadaanan ko puro lockdown, stressful. Kung puwede lang sana bigyan lang ako ng isang araw uubusin ko ‘yong matira at para balikan ‘yong dapat ma-rescue,” she said.

According to the Philippine National Police, the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act made no mention of animal welfare workers.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac advised the rescuers to instead get authorization from the Inter-Agency Task Force.

At present, no COVID-19 case has been found in animals anywhere in the country.

However, according to veterinarian Dr. Noel Manalo, animals still need to be well taken care of.

“Talagang kawawa ang mga pets kasi wala ng mapuntahan na vet,” he said.

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry had rolled out a directive regarding the giving of passes for veterinarians to open clinics in the community. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News