LAOAG CITY — Ilocos Norte, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVet), is eyeing the establishment of animal shelters in highly-vulnerable areas of the province.
In view of this, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved the appropriation of about PHP8.7 million for the construction of animal shelters in selected towns with prevalence of animal deaths due to flooding.
Dr. Loida Valenzuela, provincial veterinarian, said Thursday the animal shelters will be established using funds from the province’s share of tobacco excise tax worth more than PHP893 million.
“The beneficiaries for this project include selected local government units, which have no existing communal animal shelter yet,” she said.
She added that the establishment of the said facilities is still part of the continuing disaster mitigation efforts of the province.
Learning from previous typhoon experiences, the PVet has recommended the setting up of animal shelters to safeguard small and large ruminants from drowning during flash floods.
The animal shelter program was conceptualized in 2014 primarily to protect animals during typhoons.
At present, the PVet, in cooperation with the different local government units of Ilocos Norte, has been distributing small and large ruminants to boost the economic livelihood of indigents. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
