12/02/2026
Standing with the OG Champion of Animal Welfare in the Senate!
The PAWS team met with Senator Kiko Pangilinan yesterday to discuss the proposed Animal Life Advocacy & Guardianship Act (ALAGA) Bill, a legislation that seeks to amend and further strengthen the Philippines’ Animal Welfare Act and raise the standards of protection, care, and welfare for animals nationwide.
Also present was PAWS rescued and adopted aspin, Dolly, a victim of animal cruelty who stands with strength as she represents all the abused animals everywhere who will benefit from this legislation.
For decades, Senator Pangilinan has been a steadfast champion for animal welfare. In 2012, alongside PAWS, he stood at the helm as co-author and principal sponsor of the first amendment to the Animal Welfare Act (R.A. No. 10631), a landmark legislation that significantly increased penalties for animal cruelty and neglect.
That victory sent a powerful message: cruelty has consequences, and compassion must be backed by law.
Today, his commitment to helping animals continues to grow stronger. Senator Pangilinan recently announced a ₱10-million allocation in the 2026 national budget for the country’s first-ever Animal Welfare Supervision and Accreditation Program. This initiative will strengthen animal welfare enforcement through clear standards, regular inspections, and a formal accreditation system, ensuring that rescued and sheltered animals receive humane and safe care while supporting credible organizations working tirelessly on the ground.
This is what meaningful leadership looks like: compassion translated into policy and advocacy transformed into action.
More than a decade after helping strengthen the Animal Welfare Act, Senator Pangilinan stands with PAWS once again, more determined than ever, to advance reforms that reflect the nation’s growing call for empathy, responsibility, and justice for animals through the proposed ALAGA Bill.
Thank you, Senator Kiko, for being a constant voice for the voiceless in the halls of the Senate.
We are excited to work alongside you as we move forward to build a Philippines where every animal is protected and respected.
