Norman Marquez wants to take animal welfare advocacy to the Senate

Independent senatorial candidate Norman Marquez wants to take his advocacy for animal welfare to the Senate, believing legislation is needed to institutionalize the support and care for animals.

In a radio interview, Marquez discussed his proposed programs for free animal welfare services should he land a Senate seat.

He said the majority of the Filipino population are pet owners, but government programs for animal welfare are wanting.

“Ang rabies ay lalong lumalala nang lumalala… Kahit na po mayroong programa ang local government nits (LGUs) na tutulong pa din sa kanila, karaniwan sa programa kasi na napapansin natin ay hindi talaga para sa mga mahihirap o mga marginalized na pet owners 'no. Kasi, ang ginagawa nila na pamamaraan ay shortcut 'no? Mapangmadalian at pinapatay 'yong mga inosente na hayop imbes na matulungan,” he said.

(Rabies cases are getting worse… Even if LGUs have programs to help them, usually these programs are not really geared towards the poor or marginalized pet owners. They’re doing shortcuts. They’re rushing it and killing innocent animals instead of helping them.)

Marquez said he intends to enlist the help of civic organizations and the business sector to help the government implement animal welfare programs.

“Ang makikinabang din naman [sa program] ay human, right? Kasi animal welfare is human welfare. Kung malusog ang mga hayop mo sa loob ng bahay or sa bakuran, pati mga pamilya ay malusog din. Hindi mahahawa sa diseases at ang ating pangkabuhayan, 'yong mga livelihood na mga mambababoy at mga magmamanok, at ang mga may baka ay maaayos. Matutugunan din 'yong mga health para 'yong livelihood nila ay hindi mapinsala 'no?” he shared.

(The people who will benefit [from the program] are humans, right? Because animal welfare is human welfare. If the animals inside your home or backyard are healthy, your family will be healthy as well. They won’t catch diseases. We can run our livelihood like piggeries and poultry well.)

“Ang point natin dito is magkakaroon tayo ng mga libreng mga kapon, bakuna kasi kulang ang budget. Magkakaroon tayo ng budget diyan,” he added.

(Our point is to have free spaying, vaccines because there’s not enough budget. We will be having a budget for that.)

He said he has heard some views seemingly questioning his capacity to win because animals can't vote, anyway.

"Ang mali po nila ngayon, hindi nila na-realize ang sinasabi ko sa kanila na 94% ng botante ay pet owner,” he said.

(Their mistake is that they don’t realize that 94% of voters are pet owners.)

Meanwhile, independent senatorial aspirant, Atty. Angelo de Alban, conducted campaign activities in Cebu.

Another independent, vlogger Marc Gamboa, visited barangays in Valenzuela, while Aksyon Demokratiko’s Wilbert Lee joined 88 Agri party-list in meeting farmers and residents in Iriga, Camarines Sur.

Broadcaster Ben Tulfo posted pictures on his social media page of his campaign activities in Malolos, Bulacan.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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