ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Veterinary Office has a new head following the retirement of Dr. Tomas Forteza.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), through a resolution approved during yesterday’s regular session, confirmed the appointment of Dr. Fernando J. Abulencia as department head of the City Veterinary Office.
Councilor Plaridel Nava appealed to Abulencia to improve and strengthen the operation of the Iloilo City Dog Pound in Barangay Calahunan, Mandurriao district, take care of the stray dogs and avoid killing them.
“We have a budget approved by the city council… We believe in your competence and integrity. We know you can ably make drastic changes there. We will support you with the fervent hope that things have to change (for the better) in the city dog pound,” said Nava.
Councilor Alan Zaldivar, meanwhile, wants Abulencia to also focus on dog vaccination while Councilor Ely Estante said the city’s slaughterhouse must be improved as well.
Abulencia used to work at the Department of Agriculture as Regional Animal Welfare coordinator.
For his part, Abulencia said there is a need to expand the dog pound.
“I had a meeting with Mayor (Treñas) and gin-approve ‘ya man ang recommendation nga i-expand as soon as possible ang dog pound,” Abulencia told reporters in a separate interview.
He vowed to push for programs and projects relative to animal welfare.
“Sundon ta lang ang layi, ang Animal Welfare Act… we are already thankful nga ang advocacy ni Mayor is no killing. Although there is already a law allowing mercy killing or euthanasia pero pasalamat kita, I think Iloilo City is the only local government unit na may ‘no-kill’ policy,” said Abulencia./PN
