Optional Microchipping of Dogs In Baguio Pushed

31 August 2020

The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) disclosed that the mandatory registration and optional microchipping of pet dogs will still continue as it is the mandatory microchipping of canine that had been requested to be suspended by the city council.

City Veterinarian Bridget Piok stated that the CVAO will adhere to the wisdom of the local legislators in suspending the mandatory implementation of microchipping of dogs to pave the way for the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Ordinance No. 60, series of 2020.

She claimed that there are many dog owners from the city’s barangays who allowed their pets to be microchipped which shows there are also pet owners who want to abide by the said program.

The city veterinarian claimed it will now be up to the city legislators to appreciate the merits of the petition of responsible pet owners who branded themselves as Baguio Against Mandatory Microchipping and facilitate the possible amendments to the existing ordinance to conform with prevailing laws.

She stated that the IRR for the ordinance will be crafted to be confirmed by the city council so that there will be no delays in the gains of the microchipping.

The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, requested the suspension of the mandatory microchipping of dogs after pet owners trooped to the local legislative body to air their grievances against the implementation of the ordinance.

According to her, the CVAO will continue to implement the provisions of the ordinance that were not suspended, particularly the mandatory registration of dogs, the increase in the penalties for violators among others that seek to aggressively promote responsible pet ownership in the city to prevent the proliferation of stray dogs in the barangays.

Piok said that the local government respects the position of the petitioners against the mandatory microchipping but proponents argued on the merits of the measure paving the way for the crafting of the local law governing the rules and regulations in the registration, adoption and care of pet dogs.

She stipulated that the CVAO will await the action of the city council on the petition of the group calling for the amendment of the ordinance so that whatever will be approved as the new regulations will be enforced to empower people to be responsible pet owners and prevent the proliferation of stray dogs in the barangays and protect residents against rabid animals.

She emphasized the CVAO is also pursuing the other activities such as the ongoing anti-rabies immunization of dogs in the different barangays, the local government’s advocacy on urban gardening, among others, to ensure that residents will be spared from rabid animals in their places and to empower people to be food self-sufficient, especially during this pandemic.