Rationale of the Petition: We would like to start a program in Philippine Science High School -- Western Visayas Campus, to start a Trap-Neuter-Return​ / Trap-Neuter-Release program for the campus' stray cat population. 

Background of the Proposal for the TNR Program: Stray cats are either tolerated or hated in the Philippines. That is why the residents barely give a second thought to disposing of them in inhumane methods, even in the face of violating the Philippine Animal Welfare Act. While some legal sectors may argue for the toleration of inhumane disposal methods using Section 6.5, which is disposing of non-cattle animals for the purpose of population control, it is still undeniable that when cats are removed from the area forcibly, vermin such as rats will proliferate. 

The story below is the controversy that inspired the proposal of this program. We would like an environmentally sustainable, animal-friendly, humane, method of controlling the cat population in the PSHS-Western Visayas Campus in particular. 

Objective of the Petition: This petition will be appended to a project proposal that will be sent to the PSHS-WVC Admin. We would like to partner with them in teaching the impressionable young minds of the current PSHS-WVC students that there are environmentally sustainable, humane ways to control the rapid reproduction rates of cats. The TNR program is the only way to sustainably and humanely control the cat population, for the moment. 

Caveats: The PSHS-Diliman cat controversy that was brought to the attention of Cat Care Philippines may not necessarily apply to PSHS-WVC. However, there is no need to wait for a critical issue before we start a program that is not only humane, it is also environmentally-friendly, and will teach PSHS high school students better ways to take care of the environment, including the local stray cat population. 

The Bottom Line: This program will promote the care and stewardship of animals in general, and cats in particular, while imparting values such as responsibility, stewardship, kindness, compassion, as well as giving the students an avenue to practice and apply the concepts of environmental sustainability, as taught in Biology or Environmental Science.

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This is the recent news that broke out in Cat Care Philippines, involving an act done in PSHS-Diliman Campus: 

From Cat Care Philippines/Peachy Rallonza-Bretaña

Last Saturday, at Philippine Science High School Main Campus, there was a round up of cats. The reason being "bawal ang mga hayop sa campus kahit naka-cage." But, the way the administration of Pisay handled the cats goes against RA NO. 8485, the Animal Welfare Act of 1998. They put the cats in thick sacks and even threw a struggling, panic-driven cat in a "balde" of water. THIS IS INHUMANE. AND TO THINK THAT THIS HAPPENED IN A GOVERNMENT SCHOOL.

To those who know any member of the administration or faculty of PSHS (Pisay), please bring this to their attention. How can they teach the act of being humane when they themselves don't know how to act humanely towards non-human, living beings? Do they think cats are the lesser species thus, they don't need to be treated humanely?

To those who have friends who are PSHS parents, please spread the word. This is an issue that would impact on your children's formation as they are going to be our future leaders in the country and maybe even the world. There are ways for animals to co-exist peacefully with your children in the Pisay Campus. If the administration doesn't think this is an issue of little importance, maybe it is time for you to work it out with your children's school administration.

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Because of this news, we would loathe to allow this precedent to continue in other Philippine Science High School campuses, especially our own.

As alumni of Philippine Science High School, Western Visayas Campus, we would like to ask for a more humane way to control the cat population within the campus. We would be willing to help with the logistics, provide the vets who will volunteer, and other such coordination tasks. 

Remember, the Animal Welfare Act is a real and ratified law. Let us set a better example to the rest of the country that paid for our education by abiding in its laws.

Teaching the next generations better ways to deal with perceived annoyances and menaces is something that we, the alumni, and hopefully with the eventual cooperation of the faculty and Admin staff, are responsible for.