National protocols for animal protection during disasters needed

WHEN THE Taal Volcano began spewing ash on January 12, the residents of the communities surrounding the picturesque landmark evacuated, taking with them their possessions. But as droves of affected locals made the exodus, countless animals – precious pets and livestock alike – were left behind.

The rescue of animals had never been as prominently highlighted as in the current reporting on the impact of Taal’s eruption. CMFR monitored reports from Manila broadsheets Manila Bulletin, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star; primetime newscasts 24 Oras (GMA-7), Aksyon (TV5), News Night (CNN Philippines) and TV Patrol (ABS-CBN 2); as well as selected news websites from January 13 to 20 and found that the condition of the deserted animals was a recurring topic.

News accounts noted efforts by local communities, private individuals and animal welfare groups to extract and provide relief for the animals in the danger zones. Some groups such as the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) highlighted the absence of protocols for the protection of animals in the government’s disaster response. The reports also noted that the stranded animals, both pets and livestock, were among the main reasons why some residents wanted to return to the locked down areas.

In January 14, news.abs-cbn.com quoted Anna Cabrera, executive director of PAWS, who said they have been trying to bring their concerns to the table since 2010, but they had never been included in meetings convened by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to discuss the matter. “Iyan na nga ang sinasabi naming simula pa sa ating government na kung preparedness ang pinu-push natin, hindi naman kailangan mamili kung animals or people [ang ise-save]… Puwede naman kung maayos lang ang national disaster plan na kasama pati ang mga hayop,” Cabrera said.

In ANC’s Headstart on January 20, host Karen Davila brought up the issue with Francis Tolentino, whom President Rodrigo Duterte had designated point man for national disasters before he became a senator. Davila asked whether the government has any national policy on the matter and whether it has been discussed by authorities. Tolentino explained that it is up to the local government units to act on such matters, and that so far, the issue has not been discussed in the interagency meetings. The senator also pointed to the lack of appropriate shelters where the rescued animals can be housed.

In essence, Tolentino’s responses were an admission that the government indeed does not have any protocol in place for such concerns as those pointed out by groups like PAWS.

Saving human lives is the top priority, authorities said – and rightfully so. But government should also recognize that people also value their animals as part of their lives. Pets are family; and in the case of the many who rely on livestock for a living, these are real assets.

The Taal unrest has revealed a gap that needs to be filled. Preventing residents from returning to danger zones to check on their animals has been a challenge for authorities. Integrating animal evacuation in the government’s national disaster plan would not only give affected parties peace of mind but also give them one less reason to break the rules.

The media should go beyond treating the problem in color pieces, and take the cue from PAWS which sees this as a major loophole in the government’s national disaster policy.