The Balay Kalagday, under the University of the Philippines Visayas’ (UPV) Animal Care Program through the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod/Oblation Corps (UP/OC), in partnership with the Office of the Chancellor, was launched on Aug. 4, as part of the activities for the UPV and Miagao local government unit (LGU) Friendship Celebration.
The Balay Kalagday is located at the old KLC site inside the Miagao campus.
Its establishment ensures that cats and dogs inside the campus are provided with services, such as the “trap-neuter-vaccination-release” (TVNR). It will also serve as a “halfway house,” as those that undergo TVNR will be candidates for adoption.
Cats and dogs of UPV and Miagao LGU employees were vaccinated and dewormed, facilitated by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, as part of the program.
Thirty-one dogs and 11 cats were administered anti-rabies vaccines, while seven dogs were dewormed.
According to Vice Chancellor for Administration John Lorenz Belanio, the Animal Care Program is an initiative of the UPV administration, led by Chancellor Clement Camposano, to help curb the population of stray cats and dogs in the Miagao campus, which have been posing problems and risks to the wildlife, students, personnel, and residents.
He added that the program, which was inspired by Balay Kaibigan of UP Diliman, will help address incidents of animal cruelty.
Representatives and personnel from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, Office of Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, UPV Foundation, Inc. (UPVFI), Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, San Miguel Foods, Inc., Project PAWradise, and Visayas Response Rescue International attended the event.
The Chancellor, in his video message, said that as UPV and the Miagao LGU are celebrating their friendship, “may we also work together for the well-being of our little companions so that they, too, can feel the meaning of companionship and friendship.”
“It is with great pride that we launch Balay Kalagday as a sign of UPV’s commitment to align with society’s improving attitude towards animal welfare,” he said. (With sources from UP/OC)
