MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the 2026 national budget includes a ₱10-million allocation for the first-ever Animal Welfare Supervision and Accreditation Program, aimed at professionalizing animal welfare enforcement through standards, inspections, and accreditation.

“Layunin ng programang ito ang mapalawak ang pagtingin at pag-alaga sa mga animal rescues o nasa shelters ng makatao at sa ligtas na paraan. Susuportahan nito ang mga legit at gumaganang animal welfare orgs (This program would start expand the program that looks after rescued and sheltered animals, while also backing legitimate and functional welfare organizations on the ground),” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan, who serves as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and is a member of the bicameral conference panel, said the initiative builds on years of work to strengthen animal welfare laws and enforcement. He sponsored the 2012 amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, which increased penalties for cruelty and neglect.

The senator said the program aligns with long-standing advocacy in his household, noting that his wife, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, has been a longtime animal welfare advocate and that their family has taken in many rescued pets over the years. Pangilinan has worked with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to improve the law, while Cuneta has supported rescues through her Pawssion Project.

“Binabalik tayo sa lupa ng mga karanasang ito tuwing may policy debate — binabalik sa araw-araw na responsibilidad at pagmamahal. Kasama ang tamang pangangasiwa at akreditasyon, naaalagaan natin ang mga hayop, nasusuportahan natin ang mga legit na rescuers, at nagiging mas patas at consistent ang pagpapatupad ng batas (This experience grounds policy debates in everyday responsibility and compassion. With proper supervision and accreditation, we protect animals, support credible rescuers, and make enforcement fair and consistent),” he said.