Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has filed three measures aimed at strengthening environmental protection and promoting animal welfare, alongside actress Nadine Lustre and several advocacy groups.
De Lima stressed that such measures should not be sidelined despite ongoing political issues confronting the country.
“Sa kabila po ng mga nangyayari ngayon sa bansa, sa kabila po ng napakaraming mga issues sa administrasyon at issues sa politika, ito pong mga ganitong panukalang batas ay hindi dapat isinasantabi, dapat po ay binibigyan din ng atensyon ng Kongreso,” de Lima said in an interview on Tuesday.
Lustre expressed support for the proposed measures, describing them as beneficial for all sectors and voicing hope that other lawmakers would back the initiatives.
House Bill 7696 seeks to establish an animal welfare desk in all police stations and create an animal welfare Ombudsman unit to strengthen the enforcement of existing animal welfare laws.
House Bill 7697, or the “Gulay para sa Kalusugan at Kalikasan Act,” proposes the creation of a national plant-based health advocacy program promoting healthier and more sustainable food choices.
Meanwhile, House Resolution 748 calls for a review of challenges in implementing environmental laws and policies, with the aim of crafting recommendations to address gaps and pressing concerns.
De Lima, Lustre, and Lustre’s partner Christophe Bariou were joined by representatives from various animal welfare groups, including PETA, PAWS, Animal Kingdom Foundation, CARA Welfare Philippines, and Biyaya Animal Care, in pushing for the measures.