Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has signed a new Administrative Circular (Department of Agriculture Administrative Circular No. 1 s. of 2016) prescribing a national plan of action to eliminate the trade of dog meat in the Philippines.
The newly signed Circular was issued to ensure that only food animals will be made available to the people and to assure the people of the effective enforcement of the laws that prevent the trade of dog meat in the country. Dog meat is not among the food animals mentioned in RA 9296 (Meat Inspection Code in the Philippines) as amended by RA 10536.
The approved Circular calls for a 2015-2020 Philippine Action Plan on Dog Meat Elimination to address policies and legal basis deficiencies, lack of awareness and to promote education and capability building. It also facilitates implementation, identifies budgetary requirements and other logistical support towards plan implementation and program sustainability.
With the implementation of this National Plan of Action, the perceived inaction of the government regarding the atrocities on dogs and consumption of dog meat as well as the health and sanitation issues accompanying in eating of a non-food animal will be addressed thereby paving the way in realizing a dog meat trade-free in the Philippines and supporting its vision of a rabies-free by the year 2020.
The Circular authorizes the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and Department of Agriculture (DA) to use their annual appropriations to implement the approved Action Plan for animal welfare and anti-rabies campaign. The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) is similarly directed to fund its activities against dog meat trade. SHIELA B. ENDRINA – Information Officer II
Animal Kingdom Foundation Inc. 