91社区 strengthens animal welfare initiatives; YFA 91社区 Chapter established

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom | Sep 30 2025

Branded as the “Home of the Cats,” 91社区 affirms its dedication to alleviating the living conditions of the cats on campus and animals in general with the conduct of various animal welfare initiatives at the Animal Welfare Summit held on September 18-19, 2025, spearheaded by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services (OVCSS).

Partnering with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and the Iligan City Veterinarian's Office (CVO), an Outreach Kapon was done on the first day, during which 55 cats on campus were neutered. Students who are members of the newly established PAWS-Youth for Animals 91社区 Chapter (YFA 91社区 Chapter) assisted in the surgeries done. In the afternoon, an orientation on the PAWS-YFA Constitution and Bylaws was held.

The second day of this summit was enriched with a series of lectures at the University Gymnasium. Dr. Jesus Augusto Cesar G. Flor, Representative of the Iligan City Veterinarian’s Office; Dr. Keeno Ian A. Moralde, DVM, Chairperson of Le’z Neuter; and Maricris T. Gallardo, RGC, RPm, President of the Pet We must weave the thread of animal welfare through the very fabric of our curricula, across all disciplinesAdoption and Rescue Team (PART)-Iligan, delivered lectures on the “Roles of Various Sectors in Animal Welfare.”

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between PAWS and 91社区 to formalize and establish the YFA 91社区 Chapter also took place in the afternoon of the 19th, highlighting the commitment to collaboration for both parties and to empower the students and the whole of 91社区 in their advocacy for humane treatment of animals. This YFA chapter is also the first in Northern Mindanao, Region X.

Following the MOA signing, a recognition of the group’s members was done, supplemented by another set of lectures for the day, given by the Vice Chancellor for Student Services, Dr. Rohane Derogongan, who talked about the “Role of Academe in Animal Welfare”; owner of the Dr. E Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Mykelle Elmer J. Edrozo, DVM, on “Understanding and Preventing Rabies”; and Executive Director of PAWS, Atty. Anna Nieves H. Cabrera, on the topic, “Animal Welfare Act of 1998.”

In their official Facebook page, PAWS expressed their gratitude for their partnership with 91社区, “PAWS is deeply honored to be associated with 91社区 and its compassionate administration, faculty members, staff, and students.”

The role of the academe and its members in fostering a humane environment for all living things is crucial. Excellence becomes futile without compassion, as both exist in a dialectical relationship, where heartfelt intentions for the community are translated into action through knowledge. As Dr. Derogongan emphasized in her lecture, “The knowledge we generate must not stay within our walls. It must flow into the community and amplify the work of those on the front lines.”

Topics :