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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tolentino tells PPA to hire veterinarians for hassle-free travel with pets this Holy Week

Tolentino tells PPA to hire veterinarians for hassle-free travel with pets this Holy Week

Published Mar 23, 2024 11:05 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Francis Tolentino has asked the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to hire veterinarians on-site for people traveling with pets so they can be issued the proper documents before boarding sea vessels this Holy Week.

"Lahat po yan may karapatan (All of them have rights)."

This was Senator Francis Tolentino's statement on Saturday, March 23 during an interview on DWIZ as he called for the hiring of veterinarians in ports for the convenience of people traveling with pets.

Tolentino asked the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to hire veterinarians on-site for such travelers so they can be issued the proper documents to be allowed to board sea vessels in their travels during Holy Week.

In a discussion with PPA General Manager Jay Santiago on Saturday, Tolentino cited the travelers’ practice of bringing their pets, which may result in arguments with port authorities if they fail to show the necessary health documents and are ordered to leave their pets at the ports.

Santiago told the lawmaker that the port's Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) personnel are in charge of this and that they have large signs regarding the rules and procedures for bringing pets on board.

However, Tolentino set aside BAI’s role as regulatory body for document-checking.

“What is the possibility of hiring veterinarians authorized by the PPA to check pets and issue papers to facilitate the travel of passengers with pets? Because this is where friction starts,” he said.

Tolentino said veterinarians assigned at the ports can provide service by checking the pets and issuing documents for them to board the sea vessels.

He added that the PPA could coordinate with the Philippine Veterinarians Association for this purpose.

“I[t] will be like a Lakbay Alalay not for humans but for our pet animals. The animal rights advocates like the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) will surely appreciate this move,” Tolentino said.

Responding to the lawmaker's suggestion of providing separate veterinary services at the ports, Santiago said they will pursue the initiative this Holy Week.

Related Tags

Senator Francis Tolentino Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Holy Week Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
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