Neglect of animals in San Juan City pound hit

ADVOCATING FOR MODERN TRANSPORT SYSTEM: Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, former vice-chairperson of the Committee on Public Services, stresses that he has been an advocate for modernization of mass transportation system such as the national railways. Ejercito, during the first public hearing on public utility vehicle modernization program under Sen. Raffy Tulfo as chairperson of the panel, said he wanted to find out from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other concerned government agencies whether the modernization of jeepneys is coordinated with the modernization of the transit system. “(The modernization of PUVs or jeepneys) should be a feeder... they should be included in the master plan of our modernization (program). Unlike for the past decades, the routes were messed up, the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) wantonly issued franchises,” the senator said in Filipino. “The question is: when will it be ready? It seems that the PUV modernization program stalled and was not implemented as planned based on the timeline,” Ejercito stressed. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito —Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito on Tuesday urged the San Juan City government to hold all responsible parties accountable for the alleged neglect of animals in its city pound.

Animal welfare group Strategic Power for Animal Respondents-Philippines earlier expressed concern over the reported “mistreatment” and “neglect” of animals being kept in the city pound after they were left to drown in floodwaters due to Supertyphoon Carina (international name: Gaemi).

READ: Heart Evangelista extends help to homeless, abandoned pets after Carina

Several cats and dogs, in photos shared by the group on social media, were seen locked up in cages as floods rose inside the compound.

Concerned citizens also reported that many animals died due to maltreatment inside the pound even before the typhoon, according to the animal welfare group.

“I am very saddened by this tragedy in San Juan. As a dog lover, this is too painful to see innocent lives lost due to negligence,” Ejercito said in a statement.

He also called on the local government to implement measures to prevent similar future incidents. —Tina G. Santos

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