ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has sought the assistance of the Public Transportation Regulatory Office (PTRO) of Angeles City and the Land Transportation Office in identifying the driver of the tricycle involved in an alleged animal abuse incident in this city.
Social media posts from animal rights group Animal Kingdom Foundation show a tricycle plying the road while dragging along a dog seemingly chained to the moving vehicle.
“Nakatanggap po tayo ng report mula sa isang concerned citizen tungkol sa pangyayaring ito, kaya agad po akong sumulat kay PTRO Chief Ferdinand Calma para humingi ng tulong sa kanila na mahanap ang driver ng tricycle na involved sa insidente dahil allegedly sa report po ay taga Angeles City daw po ang nasabing driver,” Lazatin said.
“Hindi po tama ito. Kung gusto po natin na isama ang ating mga alaga pag lumalabas tayo, dapat siguraduhin natin na sila ay nakasakay ng ligtas sa loob ng sasakyan,” Lazatin added.
“Ang ating mga alaga ay may buhay. Kailangan din po nating respetuhin ang kanilang pakiramdam at buhay,” he said.
Lazatin has always been a vocal champion of animal welfare.
As legislator, Lazatin filed House Bill No. 8710, to be known as the “Public Veterinary Clinics and Animal Shelter Development Act,” that calls for the establishment of local animal shelters and/or pound facilities in every city and municipality that shall implement a strict ‘no-kill’ policy for animals in its care.
Lazatin also recently expressed his support for the call of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to promote free spaying and neutering services at the LGU level by offering tax and business permit rebates to private veterinarians who will offer the services for free.
During Lazatin’s time as Angeles City Mayor, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Angeles City also approved the landmark “Animal Welfare and Protection Code of Angeles City,” principally authored by Councilor Arvin Suller.
Included in the provisions of the ordinance is the creation of the Angeles City Animal Welfare and Protection Committee (AWPC), the registration of all animal breeders in the city, the active promotion of adoption and rehoming of animal rescues, and the provision of free spaying/neutering and anti-rabies vaccination at the City Veterinary Office.
By the time Lazatin stepped down as City Mayor, the City Veterinary Office has provided free spaying/neutering to 5,973 pets and vaccinated 130,520.
The provisions of the Animal Welfare and Protection Code of Angeles City also include the establishment of a ‘no-kill’ animal shelter.
