Senator Grace Poe on Sunday, January 12 vowed to make a “one big push” for the passage into law of Senate Bill No. 2458 or the bill amending the 26-year old Animal Welfare Act before she concludes her two-term, 12-year stint in the Senate.

Poe said she is committed to exerting every possible effort to see the passage of the animal welfare bill, stating that animal abuse remains rampant and is on the rise.

Cases of animal abuse these days are too grave to be ignored, the senator also pointed out.

“Harrowing cases of animal cruelty pop up in the news and on social media, but too often, the abusers go unpunished,” said Poe, chairperson of the Senate finance committee.

“We need a more comprehensive and tougher law that will not only give perpetrators a slap on the wrist. Let’s make this happen in this Congress,” she said.

Senate Bill No. 2458, which Poe earlier filed, aims to introduce tighter standards, tougher penalties against animal abuse. It also seeks the creation of a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force.

According to the lawmaker, time is of the essence in acting on the measure as the 19th Congress ends on June 30 of this year.

Under the bill, the said task force will empower local officers to address animal welfare issues with urgency.

SB 2458 also deputizes as animal welfare enforcement officers those volunteers who have undergone the necessary training.

The bill also seeks to establish specific standards promoting responsible pet ownership, as well as ethical behavior and accountability from all those who have control over or provide care to animals.

“This bill is always worth fighting for as animal welfare reflects society's capacity for compassion,” Poe said.