Gov. Pam Launches Cebu’s Provincial Animal Welfare Council as She Marks First 100 Days in Office

Governor Pamela Baricuatro capped her first 100 days in office with a major milestone through the signing of Executive Order No. 59, establishing the Provincial Animal Welfare Council (PAWC) — a landmark initiative that will lead Cebu’s programs on animal welfare, rabies prevention, and marine life conservation.

The creation of PAWC highlights Governor Baricuatro’s focus on compassion-driven and sustainable governance. Even while leading relief and recovery efforts in northern Cebu following recent earthquakes, the governor pushed forward reforms aimed at ensuring long-term environmental protection and community welfare.

“Cebu must take a proactive stance in promoting animal welfare, ensuring humane pound management, supporting vaccination and population control programs, and conserving marine life,” Governor Baricuatro stated.

Council to Lead Animal and Marine Conservation Efforts

Under the Executive Order, the Provincial Animal Welfare Council will serve as Cebu’s main policy-making and coordinating body for animal welfare and marine conservation initiatives.

Governor Baricuatro will chair the council, with the Provincial Veterinarian as vice chair. Members include the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture, city and municipal Agriculture and Veterinary Offices, accredited animal welfare and rescue organizations, and representatives from the academe.

The council will craft and update provincial policies aligned with national standards on animal care, rabies control, and marine resource protection. It will also ensure that local government units (LGUs) implement humane animal management practices and comply with existing animal welfare and rabies prevention measures.

Public Awareness and Community Involvement

Public education is at the heart of EO 59. The PAWC will spearhead advocacy campaigns on responsible pet ownership, animal welfare laws, and marine conservation through community seminars, school partnerships, and information drives.

The council will also work hand in hand with accredited rescue organizations to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome neglected, abused, or stray animals — strengthening public participation in building a more compassionate Cebu.

Sanctuaries and Strengthened Programs

EO 59 also provides for the establishment of provincial animal and dog sanctuaries — safe and well-managed facilities for rescued or impounded animals — to be operated by the Provincial Government in partnership with accredited animal welfare organizations under PAWC’s supervision.

Local governments are directed to maintain humane and properly equipped dog pounds, while the Provincial Veterinary Office will conduct regular inspections and require compliance reports from LGUs.

The order further institutionalizes annual rabies vaccination drives and a comprehensive spay-and-neuter program, promoting humane animal population management. Funding will be allocated for vaccines, medicines, feeds, and logistics to sustain animal rescue, rabies prevention, and marine life protection programs.

Extending Protection from Land to Sea

Beyond land-based animal welfare, EO 59 also prioritizes marine biodiversity conservation. The PAWC, in coordination with PENRO, DENR-BMB, DA-BFAR, and the Philippine Coast Guard, will enhance conservation measures for marine species such as thresher sharks, marine mammals, and other threatened aquatic wildlife.

This integrated approach recognizes the connection between land and sea ecosystems — a foundation for Cebu’s environmental resilience and sustainable future.

Toward a Humane and Sustainable Cebu

Through Executive Order No. 59, Cebu becomes one of the few provinces in the Philippines to institutionalize both animal welfare and marine conservation under a unified policy framework.

Governor Baricuatro’s initiative reflects her administration’s vision of a compassionate, sustainable, and ecologically responsible Cebu — a province that nurtures both people and animals, working together for a future built on balance, care, and shared responsibility.

(Photos from the Official Facebook Page of Pam Baricuatro - The People’s Governor.)