A barangay ordinance in Makati City proposing a ban on feeding stray animals in public places has drawn criticism from Filipinos online.
On Tuesday, October 28, Barangay Bel-Air invited residents and stakeholders to a public hearing to discuss proposed ordinances, including one that seeks to prohibit the feeding of stray animals.
The proposed measure is the Barangay Ordinance No. 2025-006, also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Feeding of Stray Animals in Public Spaces Within Barangay Bel-Air And For Other Purposes.”
The ordinance was met with strong criticism from Filipinos, including an animal welfare non-profit organization, which denounced the proposal as inhumane and counterproductive to responsible stray animal management.
According to the Pawssion Project, the proposed ordinance states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or allow the feeding of any stray animal, regardless of intention or quantity of food products or consumable materials, in any public place within the Barangay.
The group added that the measure would impose a P1,000 fine on individuals caught feeding stray animals.
Pawssion Project criticized the proposal, describing it as a step backward for local governance and animal welfare efforts.
“The government should thank the private sector and individuals going above and beyond to help curb the population humanely, which is supposed to be the government’s job,” Pawssion Project said.
“There are private citizens who feed and fix as well, and even all with those efforts, it’s still not enough given the overwhelming number of strays,” the organization added.
“We are also all for responsible strayfeeding and it really has to go hand in hand with protocols and kapon for a successful TNVR, but fining people who care is just wrong [on] many levels. Dialogues and more sessions and educational drives on proper feeding and TNVR and inviting more who would like to take part sound better than killing kindness,” it continued.
TNVR, which stands for Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return, is a humane method used by animal welfare organizations to manage stray populations. Under this approach, stray animals are trapped, neutered, vaccinated against rabies and other diseases, and then returned to their original communities to help control their numbers responsibly.
“People who hurt and abandon animals are not being made accountable for their actions, but people who care should be fined? Please do come and support advocates if you can today. This is a public hearing. Animals have no voice, so our voice matters,” the organization said.
The proposed ordinance likewise drew the ire of Filipinos, many of whom expressed outrage online over its provisions.
“Hindi nila piniling maging stray! Kung may maayos na kapon system at sana parusahan ‘yung irresponsible pet owners! Hayyy naku, anong kab*b*han ‘to?!” a Facebook user exclaimed.
“Gumagastos kami ng mula sa pera namin! Hindi pera niyo. Pera [or] sahod namin na binabawasan pa ng tax ng gobyerno! Na mapupunta lang sa mga magnanakaw na politician. Kaya ‘wag niyong pagdiskitahan ang mga strays. Kami na lang inaasahan ng mga ‘yan. Mga walang puso nakaisip nito!! Tao pa ba kayo? May puso pa ba kayo?!!!” another said.
“Grabe, anlala niyo, wala na nga masilungan, araw-araw na hindi ligtas sa daan, ‘yung kakarampot na pagkain na ibibigay ng mabubuting loob, ibabawal niyo? May sakit ba kayo? Ba’t nag-public work kung walang empathy, t*ng*na,” a different online user wrote.
“What a stupid ordinance. Sa pagpapakain man lang, mapagaan ang buhay nila, pagdadamutan niyo pa. Hindi naman kayo ang magpapakain. Shameless!” another Pinoy wrote.
In August 2024, the Department of Interior and Local Government issued a memorandum encouraging local government units (LGU) to implement all program components of the animal welfare law.
The hearing on the proposed ordinance was held on Wednesday, October 29.
A Facebook user commented that the proposed ordinance about feeding strays was put on hold due to the widespread backlash.
“[One] of them is a lawyer pa that pointed out a lot of unlawful things [or] mistakes sa ordinance nila. They are going to have a discussion daw with animal advocates for planning. Let’s just hope na mag-come up sila ng magandang ordinance instead of this sh*tty one,” the online user said.
Under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, it is unlawful for any person to subject “any animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect.”
The law also prohibits acts such as torturing animals or failing to provide adequate care, shelter and sustenance, among other forms of abuse and neglect.
