Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva has demanded a thorough investigation into the recent discovery of dead cats and dogs improperly disposed of in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, emphasizing that merely closing the implicated facility is not enough.
The controversy stems from an incident where the remains of pets—entrusted by their owners to a pet crematorium in Bacoor, Cavite—were found dumped inside plastic bags along New Town Street in Barangay Minuyan Proper.
Villanueva stressed that criminal accountability must be pursued.
“The closure of the establishment should not be the end of the matter. Those responsible must answer under the law,” Villanueva said.
Highlighting local values, he added,
“Bulakenyos are animal lovers. Ayaw po nating makilala ang Bulacan bilang lugar na nagiging kasabwat sa animal cruelty. We cannot allow such acts to go unpunished.”
While commending the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for its swift response, the senator urged multiple government agencies to coordinate efforts:
- Local Government Units (LGUs): Reassess systems for issuing permits, inspecting, and monitoring pet crematoriums.
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI): Investigate deceptive business practices and assist affected pet owners in filing consumer complaints.
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR): Determine violations of Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) and other environmental regulations.
Authorities are tasked with establishing accountability for both the alleged consumer deception and the severe mishandling of animal remains.
“How we treat animals speaks volumes about who we are as human beings. A society that values compassion must also protect those who cannot speak for themselves,” Villanueva concluded.