By PIMO | 06:25 AM February 10, 2026
The provincial government of Bohol, led by Governor Aris Aumentado, welcomed representatives of Biyaya Animal Care during a courtesy call at the Provincial Capitol on Tuesday, February 10.
The delegation was received by Vice Governor Nick Besas and chief of staff Filipina Asoy-Piollo.
Biyaya Animal Care is a non-profit organization that conducts free spay and neuter services for cats and dogs across the country to help address animal overpopulation, improve animal welfare, and promote responsible pet ownership.
The group was led by chief executive officer and co-founder Rina Ortiz, accompanied by volunteer veterinarians Drs. Bernadeth Ina So, Heidi Delorino,. Clark Denver Turqueza, Arah May Virtucio, Alfred Diaz, and Zhannen Rodriguez, as well as outreach officer Harvin Pagadduan.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of Biyaya Animal Care’s free spay-and-neuter outreach program in Bohol, scheduled from February 11 to 16.
The outreach will be conducted in selected local government units, including Tagbilaran City on February 11 and 12, Panglao on February 13, Dauis on February 14, Loon on February 15, and Tubigon on February 16. Seven volunteer veterinarians will be deployed to carry out the procedures and provide post-operative care instructions to pet owners.
Asoy-Piollo affirmed the provincial government’s support for the initiative, stressing the importance of partnerships between government agencies and non-government organizations in advancing animal welfare and public health.
She said the activity will be implemented in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, headed by officer-in-charge Dr. Meydalin Paman, to ensure adherence to veterinary standards.
The initiative supports the Aumentado–Besas administration’s Strategic Change Roadmap and the province’s efforts to promote responsible pet ownership, animal population management, and community health, in line with Bohol’s status as a Unesco Global Geopark. (PIMO/RJG)
