Band-Aid on a Bigger Wound

The Iloilo City Council’s proposal to install road signs warning motorists of stray animals is a commendable and compassionate gesture. It reflects a growing public consciousness, as Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna noted, that “Here in Iloilo City, we care for animals.” This initiative, born from community concern, rightly aims to protect both animal and human lives on our increasingly busy streets.

But while we applaud the intent, we must be firm in our assessment: these signs are a band-aid on a deeper wound. They are a passive reaction to a problem that demands a proactive, comprehensive solution. A sign that reads “Brake for Animals” is a plea for caution, but it does nothing to address the fundamental question: why are so many animals on our roads in the first place?

The answer lies in a systemic failure that signs alone cannot fix.

First, you cannot manage what you do not measure. The news report itself revealed a critical weakness in our city’s approach: the Office of the City Veterinarian maintains no official records of animals injured or killed in road accidents. This lack of data is a policy blindfold. Without knowing the hotspots for such incidents, the estimated stray population per barangay, or the success rate of current programs, any intervention—including the placement of these proposed signs—is based on anecdote and guesswork rather than evidence. A truly “smart city” bases its actions on data, not just sentiment. An effective animal management program begins with a simple, robust system for tracking and analyzing this vital information.

Second, we are a city of laws, not just suggestions. The presence of stray animals on our streets is not an unfortunate inevitability; it is a direct consequence of unenforced laws. Republic Act 9482, the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, is crystal clear. It mandates not only the registration and vaccination of dogs but explicitly requires that pets “shall be kept securely within the owner’s premises.” Furthermore, Republic Act 8485, the Animal Welfare Act, penalizes the abandonment and neglect that seed our stray population.

Every roaming dog is a symbol of a twofold failure: that of an irresponsible owner who has violated their duty, and that of the authorities who have failed to hold them accountable. The proposed signs are a soft appeal to drivers, when what is truly needed is a firm application of the law to irresponsible owners.

This brings us to the necessary blueprint for a truly humane and safe city, one that moves beyond surface-level fixes. The energy and political will behind the signage proposal should be channeled into a more holistic strategy. Such a program must stand on three pillars:

1. Enforcement:The city must launch a visible and consistent campaign to enforce existing laws. This means mandatory pet registration at the barangay level and issuing fines to owners of roaming animals. Accountability is the most effective deterrent.
2. Education:A widespread information drive is needed to inculcate the true meaning of responsible pet ownership—a lifetime commitment that includes providing food, shelter, veterinary care, and preventing uncontrolled breeding.
3. Sterilization:This is the most crucial and scientifically-proven pillar. A single un-spayed female dog and her offspring can produce thousands of puppies in just a few years. The only way to humanely and sustainably control the stray population is through a large-scale, low-cost spay and neuter program (kapon). Organizations like the World Health Organization recognize population control through sterilization, not impounding, as the most effective long-term strategy for managing strays and eradicating rabies.

The proposed road signs are a welcome start and a testament to our city’s heart. Let us now use this momentum to engage our minds and our will. Let us build a program rooted in data, anchored by law, and driven by the proven strategy of mass sterilization.

Iloilo City can be a model for the nation, but only if we have the courage to treat the cause of the problem, not just its tragic symptoms on our roads.