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SA hangaring pigilan ang pagkalat ng iba’t-iba ng sakit na dulot ng mga hayop, iminungkahi ng tinaguriang ‘lawmaking tandem from the north’ ang pagtataguyod ng veterinary clinic sa 149 lungsod at 1,498 bayan sa bansa.
Sa House Bill 5059 na inihain nina Abra lone district Congressman JB Bernos at Solid North partylist Rep. Ching Bernos, binigyang diin ang kahalagahan matugunan ang healthcare services para sa mga alagang hayop.
Ayon sa kinatawan ng Abra sa Kamara, pangunahing batayan sa likod ng HB 5059 (Animal Medical Center bill) ay ang naranasang epidemya ng African Swine Flu (ASF) kung saan maraming hog raisers ang lubhang apektado.
“Matagal nang problema ang ASF hindi lang sa Abra, kundi sa buong bansa. We believe that with a properly equipped veterinary clinic in every municipality we can help farmers and livestock raisers prevent the loss of their livelihood through timely and affordable, if not free, interventions,” wika ni Rep. JB Bernos.
Puna ng mambabatas, bagama’t nakapaloob sa Local Government Code ang pagtalaga sa mga posisyon para sa provincial at city veterinarian, wala anumang posisyon para sa municipal veterinarian.
“The law also does not require the creation of a veterinary clinic or center, let alone an explicit mention that the provincial and city veterinarians will lead clinics or centers. Thus, issues that could have been addressed at the grassroots level instead worsen until they become full-blown health and agricultural crises,” dugtong niya.
Sa panig ng Solid North lady legislator, iginiit niyang ang pagkakaroon ng public veterinary clinics ay malaking tulong sa pagtiyak ng ligtas at ‘well-balanced communities’.
“Establishing these clinics is in recognition of the fact that animals are a part of the human community. Be it as pets or as part of the agricultural economy, our way of life and welfare is tied with animals, and to take proper care of them is to ensure that we are also looking after our own interests,” ani Congresswoman Bernos.
“Hindi na dapat optional ang pagtatayo ng mga local veterinary clinics dahil ito ay matinding pangangailangan na may epekto sa kalusugan, seguridad sa pagkain, at ekonomiya,” hirit pa kongresista.
Sa proposed measure, ang pagtatalaga ng public clinics ay dapat magkaloob ng iba’t-ibang serbisyo gaya ng veterinary consultations, animal vaccinations, disease diagnosis, treatment, at minor surgical procedures; technical assistance, gayundin ang health management programs para sa mga magsasaka at livestock raisers.
Isinusulong din ng mag-asawang Bernos na magsagawa ng responsible pet ownership at humane treatment of animals education program ang naturang klinika, na magsisilbi rin pasilidad para sa disease monitoring, outbreak response, at vaccination drives.
“The clinics would also conduct routine vaccinations (e.g., anti-rabies, distemper) and deworming services; spay and neuter programs for pet population control; maintain a database of registered pets and vaccinated animals within the LGU’s jurisdiction; and coordinate with local animal welfare organizations and law enforcement for animal rescue and cruelty cases,” anila.
