(Ito yung dugtungan niyo)

The growing environmental crisis relative to animal cruelty has become one of the
rampant issues in the Philippines. Along with the continuous trend of animal appreciation,
comes along the counterpart of which such as abuse and mistreatment. Despite being an
environmental issue, what many people fail to realize is that it is also a matter of people’s moral
compass. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its
animals are treated.” This is a quotation from the famous Gandhi. Humans, as someone
considered superior among other life forms, should have the sense of urgency and responsibility
to govern and manage the environment and all that is in it.
The environment works in a give and take manner, and if people fail to regulate natural
resources, it is also them who might suffer. Animals also play a crucial role in the Biosphere and
total extinction of one specie could make a major change in the ecosystem—most particulary in
marine ecosystem—it belongs to. That is why we should never exploit the animals. Food
consumption, labor, and trading are just some of the purposes of animals in mankind, but other
than that, they also have functions in the wild. Animals are also partly rational, like people, they
also have an emotional faculty within them.
(Sinubmit ni Che)

Animal Cruelty has been going on for a long time. The government created some laws to
protect their welfare which includes psychological and well-being.  Animals are part of the
ecosystem. Nature and humans needed them for the biodiversity of nature and to have a
balance. However, due to people’s greed, they hunted down, and some were close to
extinction. THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF 1998 AS AMENDED (RA 8485 as amended by RA
10631) was proposed to protect the welfare of animals. This Republic Act was meant to stop the
cruelty and the chase for the animals. Torturing animals is unacceptable, and if a person is
proven guilty of animal cruelty, a punishment will be obliged. It is human’s responsibility to
protect the animals and the wildlife, but nature becomes a battlefield between man and animals
as time goes by. Animals become the punching bag of people, and men hunt down the
animals for a reasonable sum of money. Many illegal transactions in the black market sell
animals for food, accessories, bags, and shoes. The Republic Act aims to protect them
from all of this torture and cruelty. It is an excellent move from the government to have a
law that protects animals from harm.

         The laws have strong points, such as giving punishments to those who abuse and
torture animals, whether it is a fine or imprisonment. This kind of punishment is justifiable and
reasonable since it could help to lessen the abuse that the animals experience. Ensuring the
welfare of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine animals in the country is the aim of this law.
Securing certificate registration from the Bureau of Animal Industry for running an operation.
Securing it is a must to avoid any violations. It can be renewed again if they follow the
regulations for it—aids in the conservation and protection of our climate. One of the law's
most vital points in section 8 states that destroying animals’ natural habitat is considered
cruel to animals. This section protects animal habitats and protects our ecosystem,
especially the forest, which is home to 80 percent of the world's plants and animal species.

         Despite the law having a good purpose, the law also has its weak points to improve
for the law to protect the animals effectively. Some of the unlisted animals, such as the
crocodiles and deers, were also on the verge of extinction. They become food, and their
body parts become different decorations for known brands. Animals classified as legal when
killed in an undisclosed manner. Humans can kill cattle, pigs, goats,cows, poultry, rabbit,
carabao, and horses under section 6, but the provision does not explain why these animals
are excluded. All of these animals have one thing in common: they are all called livestock.
Since it was not disclosed in the clause, providing a precise classification is a must-do to
prevent any misunderstanding that might lead to various conclusions.

         People sometimes overlook this law. Despite having a law that aims to protect
animals from harm and maltreatments that they are experiencing, illegal transactions are
still happening to the country. The implementation of this law will be nothing If people do not
follow it. What’s the point of having and passing this law if the section of options will put it
under the bush? Knowing about this law should be taught in communities since stray dogs
and cats start within the community, and the owners of those animals just let their pets be
abandoned on the streets.  Environmental groups should also not just focus on global
warming or the deforestation of our mountains but also on the endangered animals. Above
all of that, if the law was correctly implemented, there will be no more dogs that will be on
the pound that will be put to sleep. Also, Euthanasia for stray animals and the abandoned
ones should also be part of the punishment that was included in the law. Having a law that
aims to protect animals’ welfare, whether it is marine or land, is a significant step.  However,
if this law will remain the same as it was, then it’s not helping since animals still experience
maltreatment and cruelty despite having a rule. 

[andres]

Animal cruelty and abuse is a very sensitive issue and needs to raise awareness here in the
Philippines. There are an insufficient amount of people fighting for animal rights causing
maltreatment of animals, violence, and pet neglect. Animals who feel, uncomfortable, in pain,
and scared are also considered victims of animal cruelty. There are about 40 call cases
reported daily about animal abuse mostly of neglect. 

The cases of animal brutality in the Philippines are increasing mostly caused by
abandoning, torturing, and making fun of them. This act is all considered a criminal
offense. According to Section 6 of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 as amended (RA 8485
as amended RA 10631) Any person who tries to torture, kill, or put animals in danger can
be imprisoned for years and can be fined a certain amount of money. There was a law
made to protect animals on Article 1 of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 states that we
need to protect the welfare of animals. The purpose of this act is to avoid abuses to
animals and exploitation of animals by humans and to maintain the proper care that they
need. 

The problem is that there aren’t enough people fighting for animal rights, we need to learn to
speak up to be the voice for animals. we didn’t notice that we are neglecting our pets little by
little. To overcome animal cruelty we need to educate people to report people who violate laws
and to be punished. These animals only rely on their human owners to provide what they can’t
get for themselves. The way that we can reduce the numbers of animal abuse is to be
responsible for all animals that we’ve owned, providing the best care that they need to reduce
homeless animals. [andres]

[xavier]

The growing environmental crisis relative to animal cruelty has become one of the great political
issues of our day. What many people fail to realize is that it is also a moral and spiritual issue,
since mankind is overwhelming the earth’s ability to support not just wildlife but for human life as
well. There is no greater consequence if we are to destroy the future generation’s ability to live
on our planet. 

With all the aforementioned, we can therefore conclude that the law is powerful since it is a
punitive tool for any type of misdemeanor towards animals. On top of that, it focuses and
provides value to the life of a sentient being. It provides help to those who are victims of cruelty
and abuse and that is the noblest thing - to protect those who can’t protect themselves. It is our
belief as a group that providing help (not just referring to humans and or animals) along with
being of service to others is our main purpose for living. This is why we feel a natural high every
time this good deed is accomplished. There is an old adage that says, “When you help others,
you help yourself”. Apart from good karma, there is something to be said about how helping
others changes your perspective. When you’re helping others, you will often feel great about
yourself and it also improves your overall emotional well-being. This type of helping culture that
we extend to animals in need, goes a long way and it is undeniably significant if we are to
maintain the perfect balance of the ecosystem.
We salute the legislatures as we believe that the law is essential in promoting reverence for the
earth and its creatures which might prevent many of the threats to the environment we are
experiencing today and could help ensure a secure future for humanity. Albeit, as powerful as it
is, the law is technically a string of words put together and printed on pieces of paper. So
ultimately, the real power comes from the execution of the law and the ability to be able to apply
it to its full extent otherwise not much progress will be accomplished. But let’s also not forget
about the power to change ourselves. Everything starts with us. Michael Jackson even
mentioned it in one of his songs where he said, “If you want to make the world a better place,
take a look at yourself and make the change...” There’s a multitude of ways on how we can set
the stage and facilitate the efficacy of the law by being a responsible pet owner and being an
example of kindness to animals. We can also intervene when we witness animal cruelty or
better yet report animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect. Education is also key. We can teach and
show the younger generation how to treat animals with love and consideration and it starts with
setting a good example by being respectful towards animals. The ultimate catch is that respect
never goes out of fashion. If we show respect regardless of where we are and who we are with,
we will be guaranteed one thing: This world will be a better place to live in. [xavier]

[cail]
It aims to guard and protect every animal in the country. The Philippine Animal Welfare Society
(PAWS) is an organization that protects animals. They take care of animals that are victims of
abuse. This chosen dilemma can provide knowledge and open the minds of everyone who
mistreats the animal that they can be severely punished.

This law aims to protect and safeguard animals at the hands of abusive people. Eating
inappropriate animals such as dogs, horses, and other exotic foods is also strictly prohibited.
But there are places in the country where eating them is allowed as in Puerto Princesa and
Davao City are already known. One dish that is mainly served is crocodiles.

This should be one of the greatest concerns of every person since there were some threats to
animals like giving stress to animals, making them feel not secure in their own home. [cail]