‘I CARE FOR STRAYS.’ Marilao Municipal Veterinary Office representatives conduct free spay and neuter services, as well as deworming and anti-rabies vaccinations during the launch of the “I Care for Strays” program of NLEX Corp. in Barangay Patubig, Marilao, Bulacan on Friday (July 5, 2024). The program aims to contribute to the prevention and management of stray animal incidents inside the North Luzon Expressway and along local roads. (Photo courtesy of NLEX Corp.)
MARILAO, Bulacan – The NLEX Corp., in partnership with the provincial government of Bulacan, the municipality of Marilao, and the Estrella Animal Welfare Advocates, on Friday launched its road safety advocacy “I Care for Strays” program in Barangay Patubig here.
In a statement, NLEX Corp. Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management Division Donna F. Marcelo said the program aims to contribute to the prevention and management of stray animal incidents inside the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and along local roads.
She said the program included an orientation on animal welfare laws and responsible pet ownership, as well as the conduct of stray animal population control for pet owners from Marilao and nearby municipalities.
More than 300 cats and dogs also received free spay and neuter services, as well as deworming and anti-rabies vaccinations.
“I-Care for Strays is our way of promoting and protecting animal welfare while ensuring the safety of our motorists and community members. By addressing and preventing incidents involving stray animals on expressways and local roads, we aim to safeguard everyone’s safety,” Marcelo said.
Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando commended NLEX Corp for its advocacy.
“Ang inyong malasakit sa kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga hayop ay isang mahalagang hakbang tungo sa mas ligtas at mas maayos na daan dito sa lalawigan ng Bulacan (Your concern for the safety and welfare of animals is an important step to a safer and orderly road network in the province of Bulacan),” he said in a separate statement.
Marilao Mayor Henry Lutao, meanwhile, assured NLEX of his support for programs that benefit Marilao residents.
“We commend the dedication of NLEX in educating and assisting the residents of its host communities towards better living. Programs like ‘I Care for Strays’ significantly impact their views on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership,” he said in another statement.
Dog owner Maribeth Bondoc, meanwhile, thanked the project proponent for the free spay and neuter services.
“Malaking tulong po ito lalo’t mas mahirap pong mag-alaga ng hayop kung dumami po ito (It is a big help because it is difficult to take care of a lot of pets),” she said.
NLEX Corp. is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC). It holds the concession rights to construct, operate, and maintain the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
Aside from the ‘I Care for Strays’ program, NLEX Corp. also has a regular barangay-level information campaign called Kaligtasan Sa Daan (KalSaDa) where residents from NLEX, SCTEX, and NLEX Connector host communities are educated on responsible road usage, road safety tips and ways to keep their environment safe for both residents and motorists. (PNA)
