FIRST DISTRICT, Pampanga – Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has 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.
According to PAWS, they have drafted a model ordinance for LGUs to follow.
“For the private veterinarians in a certain city na bigyan nila ng rebate on the business permits and the taxes so that, in turn, these veterinarians – private veterinarians – will offer libreng kapon of 10 kapon lang a month for the indigents of their community,” said Atty. Anna Cabrera, PAWS Executive Director, during a legal advocacy event on April 18, 2026.
“I support the call of PAWS for LGUs to integrate free spaying and neutering services into their local policies,” Lazatin said.
“Ginawa namin ito noon sa Angeles City LGU, so I know that it is possible if local leaders have the will to do it,” he added.
During Lazatin’s time as Angeles City Mayor, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Angeles City 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.
The 103-capacity shelter was formally opened on July 18, 2023 and received its BAI accreditation in May 2023 – a first in the Province of Pampanga.
Now as Pampanga First District Representative, Lazatin continues his fight for animal welfare in Congress.
On March 19, 2026, 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.
Rescued animals that remain unclaimed by their owners at the shelter shall be made available for adoption or rehoming, subject to screening standards to be determined by the local veterinary office and Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
Likewise, HB No. 8710 also mandates the establishment of public veterinary clinics in every city and municipality, which shall be duly-registered with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and issued a Certificate of Registration prior to operation, in accordance with R.A. 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by R.A. 10631.
The Public Veterinary Office shall provide essential free or low-cost services, which may include consultation, treatment of minor illnesses or injuries, vaccination support, and spay/neuter (kapon) services, subject to guidelines to be issued by the BAI.
