Manila, Feb. 17 -- Animal welfare here in the Philippines is gaining momentum with the bill pushing for stronger penalties for animal cruelty progressing in the Senate -a step closer to a more inclusive and humane society.

The bill, which seeks to amend the 1998 Animal Welfare Act to introduce stricter standards and tougher penalties for violators, came following the reported rise in animal abuse cases in recent years -some of which have even become viral on social media.

But while stronger legislation is a welcome development in the push for better treatment of animals, it alone cannot guarantee their well-being. Animal welfare after all is a multi-sectoral issue that requires the collective effort of various stakeholders -government, ...