MANILA, Philippines — The proposed 2026 national budget includes a first-time ₱10-million allocation for an Animal Welfare Supervision and Accreditation Program, a move Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said would professionalize animal welfare enforcement across the country.
The program aims to support standards-setting, inspections, and accreditation for animal welfare organizations, helping ensure humane and safe care for rescued and sheltered animals while strengthening on-the-ground enforcement.
“Layunin ng programang ito ang mapalawak ang pagtingin at pag-alaga sa mga animal rescues o nasa shelters ng makatao at sa ligtas na paraan. Susuportahan nito ang mga lehitimo at gumaganang animal welfare organizations,” Pangilinan said.
As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and a member of the bicameral conference committee, Pangilinan said the budget item builds on years of legislative work to reinforce animal welfare protection and enforcement mechanisms.
In 2012, Pangilinan sponsored amendments to the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines that increased penalties for animal cruelty and neglect, a landmark update aimed at deterring abuse and improving accountability.
Animal welfare advocacy, Pangilinan noted, is also personal. His wife, actress and singer Sharon Cuneta, has long championed animal welfare causes, and their family has taken in numerous rescued pets over the years. Pangilinan has worked closely with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to improve animal protection laws, while Cuneta has collaborated with Pawssion Project to raise funds for animal rescues.
“Binabalik tayo sa lupa ng mga karanasang ito tuwing may policy debate — binabalik sa araw-araw na responsibilidad at pagmamahal,” Pangilinan said. “Kasama ang tamang pangangasiwa at akreditasyon, naaalagaan natin ang mga hayop, nasusuportahan natin ang mga lehitimong rescuers, at nagiging mas patas at consistent ang pagpapatupad ng batas.”
If approved, the allocation would mark the first dedicated national funding stream for a comprehensive animal welfare supervision and accreditation framework, signaling a broader push to standardize practices and strengthen enforcement nationwide.
