DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Administrator’s Office said that the city government is planning to construct a city-owned animal shelter to serve the broader community.
In a statement posted on the City Government of Davao Facebook page, the City Administration Office addressed claims that it had agreed to build a facility for the Happy Animals Club.
The statement said that HAC representatives were invited to join in preliminary discussions to provide input and encouraged to explore a potential partnership with the city once the shelter becomes operational.
According to the City Administration Office, any formal collaboration, with HAC or other animal organizations, however, would require a legally executed memorandum of agreement.
“Feasibility studies and conceptual planning for the proposed city-owned animal shelter are ongoing,” the statement said, noting that all projects must follow established legal and administrative processes.
They said that they will follow proper procedures but will not confiscate HAC animals. They said that if HAC is evicted from its current facility by a private landowner, the animals will remain under its care.
The city government aired the clarification amid concerns over HAC operations.
In May 2023, the City Health Office received complaints about foul odor, sanitation issues, and noise nuisance related to HAC.
After an investigation, the CHO recommended mitigating measures, which HAC agreed to implement.
The Barangay Council of Matina Aplaya submitted additional complaints in August 2023, and a subsequent CHO inspection confirmed sanitary violations.
An inter-agency dialogue with HAC was convened on Oct. 24, 2023, to address recurring concerns.
The city government said that there is an ongoing court case over the ownership of the property currently occupied by HAC, which involves only private parties.
According to the City Administration Office, the city government is not involved in the dispute and does not provide funding to HAC, a privately run non-profit organization.
The City Administration Office said that they aim to clarify the local government’s engagement with HAC and address misconceptions circulating on social media.