Animal Medical Center Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -8 75:27 SENATE S. No. 255 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC VETERZAARY CLINIC IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Animals play a vital role in maintaining the stability of the environment, ecosystem, and human lives. In the Philippines, the growing pet culture reflects a wider societal shift towards viewing pets as beloved companions and vital family members. Additionally, animals play an important role in the nation's economy, significantly contributing to GDP and supporting a large segment of the agricultural workforce. Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State must protect and advance the people's right to a balanced and healthful ecology, which indirectly supports animal protection. In order to promote animal welfare, it is essential to provide greater access to affordable and adequate veterinary clinics. Currently, most veterinary clinics are either scarce and privately owned, making them inaccessible and unaffordable for many individuals. As such, this bill seeks to address the challenge of limited access to quality veterinary healthcare services across various regions of the country. By establishing veterinary clinics in every city or municipality, farmers and pet owners would have sufficient access to essential healthcare for their animals. Additionally, this initiative aims to protect local government units from the threat of emerging and existing animal

diseases, while also facilitating immediate control and management of potential livestock infection outbreaks. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session JUL -& P5:27 SENATE S. No.. Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC VETERINARY CLINIC IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Animal Medical Center

Act"

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared a policy of the State to protect the

welfare of every animal and ensure that their needs are adequately met. Towards this end, this measure seeks to strengthen animal health and veterinary services in all local government units in the country.

Sec. 3. Establishment. - There shall be established in every city and

municipality a public veterinary clinic, which shall be under the direct control and supervision of the city or municipal local government unit (LGU), in consultation with the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI).

Sec. 4. Provision of Space. - The local government unit shall provide an

adequate and accessible lot or space where the veterinary clinic shall be constructed or established.

Sec. 5. Design, Policies, Terms and Conditions. - The LGU shall prepare, in

consultation with the DA-BAI, the design of the structure. The local government unit shall formulate policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions relative to the operation and maintenance of the Veterinary Clinic.

Sec. 6. Administration. - The local chief executive shall appoint a Chief of

2 Veterinary Clinic, who shall have the same qualifications, compensation, and powers 3 generally exercised by a Chief of a hospital, in accordance with rules and regulations 4 of the Civil Service Commission and the qualification requirements for such office. The 5 Chief Veterinary Clinic shall render full-time service and be responsible for its 6 administration and operation. The local chief executive shall appoint the necessary personnel and staff of the veterinary clinic.

Sec. 7. Funding. - The city or municipal local government unit shall provide the

9 necessary funds for the establishment of their respective public veterinary clinic. The 10 Secretary of the DA shall include in the Department's subsidy program, support for the capital outlay requirements of the said facility.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after

the approval of this Act, the DA-BAI shall, in coordination with the DILG, and such other relevant agencies, prepare and issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be

declared unconstitutional or invalid and shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper of general circulation. Approved,