Bacolod to build PHP 10 million animal shelter

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Greg Gasataya announced Monday that the city will renovate the City Veterinary Office (CVO) and construct a new Animal Shelter Complex in Barangay 35, worth over PHP 10 million.

Gasataya presented the proposed engineering plans for the Barangay 35 complex, which will be built on a 2,000-square-meter lot and is designed to accommodate up to 500 dogs.

This development comes as animal welfare advocates demand the closure of the existing dog pound in the barangay and call for the replacement of the current city veterinarian, Dr. Maria Agueda Trinidad dela Torre.

He said the budget will be sourced from the city’s loan, with additional funds to be infused later to expand the facility’s capacity.

The project is expected to be completed within 10 months.

“Part of the short-term measures is to assess the city pound and come up with immediate improvements,” Gasataya said.

Solar panels will also be installed to supply power, as the CVO currently has an outstanding electricity bill of around PHP 800,000, the mayor added.

To address the need for compassionate leadership, the city has appointed Dr. Janine Sarthou as the new assistant city veterinarian, following the resignation of Dr. John Michael Cabuguason, who has returned to Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Gasataya said.

“I have a heart for animals since I have been working with spaying and other veterinary works for many years now,” Dr. Sarthou said, pledging to spend her first week assessing the pound’s conditions on the ground.

Gasataya also directed all job order staff assigned to the new pound to undergo vetting to ensure they truly have a “heart for animals” and are motivated by care, not just by employment.

The city government under the administration of former mayor and now Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez had earlier planned to build an animal shelter in Barangay Granada, but the project did not prosper.

It was later revisited under the present administration, leading to the current development plan in Barangay 35.