Governor Pamela Baricuatro of Cebu has taken a major step to protect animals both on land and at sea by signing a new executive order. Executive Order No. 59, signed on October 8, 2025, establishes the Provincial Animal Welfare Council (PAWC) to oversee and enforce higher standards of care across the province.
Stricter Oversight for Dog Pounds and Rabies Control
The newly formed council will address long-standing complaints about local government-run dog pounds, which have often been cited for overcrowding, neglect, and insufficient veterinary care. Under the order, all cities and municipalities in Cebu must now comply with minimum standards for humane treatment, shelter, and care in their animal impounding facilities.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), working as the PAWC secretariat, is tasked with conducting regular inspections and requiring quarterly reports from local government units (LGUs). This move is designed to tighten accountability and ensure consistent animal welfare practices.
Furthermore, the EO intensifies Cebu's fight against rabies. It mandates the PVO and local veterinary offices to launch annual mass vaccination campaigns and to institutionalize spay and neuter programs. This strategy aims to control the stray dog population, a key factor behind ongoing rabies cases in the province.
Sanctuaries and Expanded Marine Protection
To directly tackle the issue of stray and abandoned animals, the Provincial Government will establish and operate animal sanctuaries. These facilities will provide shelter, rehabilitation, and adoption services for rescued animals, with operations supported through partnerships with animal welfare groups under the PAWC's guidance.
The scope of the order extends beyond land. Cebu's conservation efforts will now be strengthened for threatened marine species, including thresher sharks and marine mammals. The PAWC, along with partner agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Philippine Coast Guard, will lead conservation programs, develop rescue protocols, and run public awareness campaigns.
Funding and Council Composition
Funding for these initiatives will be sourced from existing provincial appropriations and other allowable funds, adhering to standard government accounting and auditing rules. The money will be used for feeds, medicines, vaccines, equipment, and rescue operations.
Governor Baricuatro will chair the PAWC, with the PVO head serving as vice chair. The council's membership is broad, including provincial and municipal agriculture and veterinary offices, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on agriculture, relevant national agencies, animal welfare organizations, and academic representatives. This structure is intended to give the council extensive regulatory and coordination power. All LGUs and concerned agencies have been directed to cooperate fully with the PVO in implementing the order.
