Akbayan Party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña, accompanied by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), filed House Bill 11495 or the Animal Life Advocacy and Guardianship Act (ALAGA) Bill in the House of Representatives.

“Itong mga nakaraang araw, nakita natin yung matinding pang-aabuso, pang-aapi, pananakit sa ating mga alaga at nakalulungkot na walang ngipin ang batas para panagutin yung mga nangaabusong ito. Kaya kinakailangan, maliban sa pagtiyak ng welfare ng ating mga alaga, magkaroon din ng ngipin batas para i-prosecute yung mga nananakit sa kanila,” he said

The proposed bill seeks stricter law enforcement and to ensure accountability for animal abusers.

Under the proposal, the National Commission on Animal Welfare will be established as a quasi-judicial body with its own enforcement powers for animal welfare.

In addition to establishing the commission, the bill includes the imposition of stricter penalties for convicted animal offenders. This is supported by PAWS Executive Director Atty. Anna Cabrera because the consequences imposed on convicted animal offenders will become clearer.

“Doon sa current law, “and/or” lang, so madalas ang ini-impose ng mga judges is like the fine or yung minimum ano lang ng fine,” she explained

“Pero ngayon under the Alaga Bill, it's fine and imprisonment all across convicted animal offenders. Ang maganda pa dito, pounds will be strictly monitored and meron accountability,” she added

Apart from enforcing accountability among animal offenders, it also aims to incorporate animal welfare education into basic and higher education and provide protection for rescuers of neglected animals. It also pushes for spay-neuter programs as the proper method for controlling the population of stray animals.

Through these reforms, PAWS and AKBAYAN aim to strengthen accountability in cases of animal cruelty and neglect, and to promote better treatment of animals across the country.

The bill will undergo the legislative process and review before being enacted as law.