Animal lovers appeal: Forgo firecrackers to welcome 2014
FIRECRACKERS are not only harmful to humans but animals too.
This was the message of proenvironment and animal welfare groups whose members urged the public to shun firecrackers during the New Year’s Eve celebration.
They gathered with their pets in front of the Our Lady of Remedies Parish in Malate, Manila, yesterday to kick off the campaign called “Love Animals, Paputok Hurts” which was organized by the EcoWaste Coalition.
According to EcoWaste, the “friendly and furry gathering of humans and pets is part of our ‘Iwas Paputoxic’ campaign calling for a toxic-free New Year celebration.”
It was joined by animal welfare groups led by Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), Compassion and Responsibility for Animals, Dog
‘Make Jan. 9 a holiday’
TO HIGHLIGHT the religious significance and cultural importance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, a councilor has sought the declaration of Jan. 9 as a special nonworking holiday in the City of Manila. Millions of devotees annually flock to the city to pay homage to the miraculous icon which is believed to cure the sick and bring forth prosperity. It is the “largest religious festival and procession in our predominantly Catholic nation where multitudes of loyal devotees take part in strengthening their faith and fulfilling their spiritual vows,” the draft ordinance said. The proposed measure authored by Councilor DJ Bagatsing added that the “religious nature of the Black Nazarene has continually progressed into a Filipino sociocultural celebration and special traditional heritage occasion.” “There is truly a need to preserve, enshrine and promote its observance in the City of Manila,” it said.
Store owner shot dead
A MAN was gunned down before dawn Saturday as he was closing his small store in a Quezon City Breeds and Breeders, Philippine Animal Lovers and WeDogs whose members also brought their pets to the event to “draw public attention to the traumatic ordeal that animals have to endure amidst earsplitting explosions to ring in the New Year.”
“Our traditional festivities have become unbearably loud for humans and animals alike but since many animal species have highly sensitive ears, this deafening mayhem becomes an annual rite that tortures them,” said EcoWaste national coordinator Aileen Lucero.
For his part, Rev. Fr. Michael Martin of the Our Lady of Remedies Parish said that people, as caretakers of nature, were bound by a common duty not to harm other creatures on earth.
“Please do not make animals suffer from superfluous blasting of firecrackers and fireworks,” he added.
P-Noy appoints new Makati chief prosecutor
PRESIDENT Aquino has appointed Jorge Galvez Catalan Jr. the new Makati City chief prosecutor following the retirement of Filemon Aspi. The 57-year-old Catalan, accompanied by his daughter Janine and son Juan Jorge, took his oath in front of Justice Secretary Leila de
Lawyer Heidi Caguioa of AKF said that small animals like cats, dogs and birds were easily frightened by the loud noise made by firecrackers. She added that these pets could end up suffering from an irreversible hearing impairment, eye damage and, in some cases, heart problems.
Accompanied by his 10-monthold Siberian Husky “Atom,” Jason Laderas of Paco, Manila, told the INQUIRER that firecracker explosions were very traumatic for dogs.
“We usually confine our pets inside a closed room during the New Year’s Eve revelry so that they will not hear the loud sounds outside,” Laderas said.
“We advise pet owners to provide a safe place for animals. If possible, allow them to stay in a quiet room such as a bedroom,” EcoWaste said. Lima and Prosecutor General Claro A. Arellano. “It’s an honor to be appointed as the new city prosecutor of Makati. I’m very thankful to President Aquino for his trust and confidence, and also to Secretary De Lima,” he said. “My experience as city prosecutor of Malabon-Navotas will help me in my quest to do a better job in this new challenge in my career,” he added. Before he assumed his new post, Catalan served for a long time as MalabonNavotas city prosecutor following his appointment in July 2001. Born in Matang Tubig, Tondo Manila, Catalan rose from the ranks at the Department of Justice where he started as a prosecution lawyer in 1987. Two years later, he became a full-fledge prosecutor when he was appointed state prosecutor I. His promotion to state prosecutor II came in 1991. Catalan was detailed in Caloocan City (1990-1994), Malabon-Navotas (1994-1998) and Quezon City (1998-2001) where he served as one of the reviewers and as special assistant of then City Prosecutor Arellano, now the prosecutor general. He is a graduate of San Beda College of Law.