GOOD news for pet owners.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued an order allowing pet owners to bring their pets inside public utility vehicles (PUV).
The LTFRB released on Friday Memorandum Circular 2019-019 dated April 15, allowing pets in PUVs.
“Animals must be put inside carriers or cages and placed at a designated animal compartment of the PUV should there be other passengers inside the vehicle,” the memo stated.
The LTFRB's move is due to the request of some groups who has requested the agency to give more accessibility to pets based on Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
But the LTFRB has not specified what animals are qualified as pets.
Separately, pet owners in Cebu rejoiced of the LTFRB's new memorandum.
Minerva Gerodias, who owns 12 dogs, 22 cats and two turtles, said she is happy of the LTFRB's memo as this would allow pet owners like her to bring their pets with them without fear of being refused by drivers of PUVs like jeeps, taxis and buses.
“It's a welcome development. Daghan man gud pet owners nga gusto modala sa ilang mga furbabies sa vet clinic or ilang dad-on og suroy. Naa sad uban nga ilang dalhon ilang pets kay madugay sila sa ilang lakaw ug walay mabilin sa ilang buhi apan maglisud intawn sila kay dili sila pasakyon sa mga public transport,” Gerodias told Superbalita Cebu.
She also agrees with the restrictions such as placing pets on a cage as pet owners must also consider the riding public as well.
“There are other passengers who do not like pets or may have fear of animals because of traumatic experiences in the past and owners should also be responsible to bathe their pets para dili sad manimaho while nagbiyahe,” Gerodias added.