24/06/2025
BSP animal-welfare advocates promote proper treatment of animals
June 23, 2025
Photo_BSP CLAW Event 2025_ 1.jpg
BSP Deputy Governors Elmore O. Capule (second from left) and Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (second from right) present the Certificate of Appreciation to Senator Mary Grace Natividad S. Poe-Llamanzares (middle), author of the proposed Revised Animal Welfare Act, during the second anniversary celebration of the BSP Compassionate Leaders for Animal Welfare (CLAW). With them are BSP CLAW President Maria Ramona Gertrudes T. Santiago (left) and BSP Director Ana Theresa B. Del Rosario-Buen (right).
Animal-welfare advocates from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) highlighted the need for humane treatment of animals in an event held at the BSP Head Office in Manila on 09 June 2025.
The event marked the second anniversary of the BSP’s Compassionate Leaders for Animal Welfare (CLAW) and featured activities on animal care.
With the theme “We are PAWmily (Year 2): Nurturing Safe Coexistence in the Workplace,” the program included inspirational talks on animal welfare, the launch of CLAW’s adoption and sponsorship program, and vaccinations for community cats.
Senator Mary Grace Natividad S. Poe-Llamanzares, principal author of the proposed Revised Animal Welfare Act, graced the event and commended the BSP’s efforts, saying, “This journey (toward improving animal welfare in the country) may not have been easy, but we have had the good fortune of meeting many allies along the way.”
CLAW’s Cat Adoption and Sponsorship Program headed by its president Maria Ramona T. Santiago, a retired BSP Senior Assistant Governor, connects rescued cats with adopters or benefactors.
Key animal welfare advocates spoke on the importance of change: Rina Ortiz of Biyaya Animal Care on rabies-free future, Meralco CATropa representatives Joe Zaldarriaga and Michelle Caguioa on animal friendly corporate culture, Sharon Bengzon-Yap on the mental health support of animals, and Laureen Velasco of the De La Salle University Professors for the Upliftment of Society’s Animals on fostering empathy with animals in campus environments.
The event was also attended by Monetary Board Members Romeo L. Bernardo, Rosalia V. De Leon, Walter C. Wassmer, and Jose L. Querubin; Deputy Governors Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Elmore O. Capule; and other BSP key officials.