Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
 First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
 A balanced and healthful ecology is one of the hallmark state policies that is 
enshrined in the Constitution, to wit: “The State shall protect and advance the right of 
the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony 
of nature” [Section 16, Article II, 1987 Constitution]. This aim of the country to 
have a balanced and healthful ecology necessarily includes the proper and humane way 
of taking care of animals. 
The Philippines have gone a long way in upholding animal rights, our country have 
stringent laws against animal abuse and Filipinos are generally very kind to pets. 
However, this kindness to pets resulted to an overpopulation of stray dogs and cats. News 
articles about the matter can easily be found. The People for the Ethical Treatment of 
Animals (PETA), a non-governmental organization, found made a statement that: “Animal 
homelessness has reached a crisis point in the Philippines. While countless dogs and cats 
struggle to survive on the streets, hundred are euthanized every month in municipal 
pounds.” 
As such, there is a need to have a mechanism that will resolve the issue on the 
overpopulation of stray animals, thru the promotion of adoption. The proposed law herein 
seeks to protect the welfare of every animal, including stray and impounded pets, and ensure 
that their needs are adequately met. The bill herein also incentivizes the adoption of stray 
animals.  
For the Filipino people, approval of the foregoing bill is earnestly being sought. 
June 15, 2023
2:46 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
 First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT PROMOTING THE WELFARE AND ADOPTION OF STRAY AND 
IMPOUNDED ANIMALS, PROVIDING INCENTIVES THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect the welfare of every 
animal, including stray and impounded pets, and ensure that their needs are adequately met. 
The State recognizes that the responsibility for the welfare of animals is not solely limited 
to the authorities. Thus, this law aims at promoting responsible pet adoption, providing stray 
and impounded animal proper protection. 
SECTION 2. Provision for Adoption.  
a) All impounded and stray animals shall be given the opportunity for adoption.
b) The local government units (LGU) shall develop and implement programs to promote
and facilitate adoption of impounded and stray animals, including but not limited
to the establishment of adoption centers, pet fairs, and incentives for adopters.
c) Adoption of impounded and stray animals shall be considered as a tax is incentive
for a percentage of the real property tax of the adoptee.
SECTION 3. Certificate of Adoption by LGUs.  LGUs shall issue certificate of adoption in 
accordance with the guidelines to be provided by the Bureau of Animal Industry for purposes of 
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the tax incentive benefit stated in Sec. 2(c) of this Act. 
 
SECTION 4. Provision for Corporations.  
(a) Corporations that promote adoption of impounded and stray animals by their employees 
may apply for tax deduction on expenses incurred in compliance to this Act.  
(b) Corporations are encouraged to establish pet-friendly policies that promote responsible pet 
ownership, including but not limited to pet insurance, pet care services, and pet-friendly 
workspaces. 
 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days after its signing into 
law, the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, Department 
of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Finance, shall issue the 
appropriate implementing rules and regulations for the application of this Act.  
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
administrative orders, and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,