By Noreen Jazul
An animal welfare advocate has called on the government to allow animal rescuers to perform their duties even with the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
(REUTERS / MANILA BULLETIN)
In an interview with GMA 7, Susan Espinosa of Berlin Emergency Rescue Team said she can’t sleep knowing there are stray animals not being fed and taken care of during the lockdown.
Espinosa has earlier written an open letter to President Duterte on Facebook asking for the exemption of animal welfare workers from the ECQ.
“Bilang isang animal welfare advocate / rescuer nais kong ipaabot sa inyo ang sitwasyon ng mga hayup, lalo na mga stray dogs and cats at mga nasa dog pound sa ngayon, paumanhin, at pag galang sa mga Frontliners na bayani natin, kami pong mga rescuer ay frontliners din,” Espinosa wrote.
“Nais ko sanang hilingin sa inyo na bigyan niyo kami ng magandang laban na mailigtas namin ang mga nangangailangang furbabies in need, maaari niyo po bang iutos sa mga police sa checkpoint at LGU na kami ay suportahan sa aming gagawing pag ligtas sa mga hayup,” she added.
Espinosa asked the government to allow them to feed and rescue more stray animals especially now that the quarantine has been extended.
Animal welfare workers are not included in the exemption guidelines of the Inter Agency Task Force, according to Philippine National Police Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac’s interview with GMA 7.
Licensed veterinarians, on the other hand, have been given the chance to apply for passes from the Bureau of Animal Industry to perform their duties.
BAI Officer-in-Charge-Director, Dr. Ronnie Domingo said the agency has also received ID applications from animal welfare groups.
“Binigyan na rin po namin sila ng ID para maka respond rin po sila sa mga very local problems sa mga stray animals; yung iba naman ay delivery ng pagkain para sa mga hayop,” Domingo told GMA 7.