OMF Communications Manager Pia Flores, Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Rodrigo Bautista, Municipal Administrator Ms. Analyn Moraleja, Laiya Aplaya Barangay Chairman Wenceslao L. Llana III, Project Director and Head of Community Development of Landco Pacific Corporation Jhem Fauni Azarcon, Head of Advocacy Communication and Meralco CATropa Program Manager Michelle Caguioa, and Biyaya Animal Care Medical Director Dr. Joden Sumeldan during the two-day initiative, following the signing of the Spay It Forward Campaign pledge wall as a gesture of their commitment to advancing animal welfare.
Meralco’s CATropa volunteers and Landco Pacific Corporation have joined forces to champion animal welfare in San Juan, Batangas, rolling out a large-scale spay and neuter mission that helped curb pet overpopulation and strengthen public safety in the popular beach community of Laiya.
Over two days, from November 18 to 19, a total of 250 cats and dogs from Barangay Laiya Aplaya and neighboring areas received free spaying and neutering services at Club Laiya. The initiative, supported by the San Juan LGU and Biyaya Animal Care, also provided anti-rabies vaccinations to ensure healthier pets and safer communities — especially as resorts in Laiya have noted a rise in free-roaming community animals.
Landco Project Director and Head of Community Development Jhem Fauni-Azarcon said the partnership aims to create lasting solutions that balance public safety and animal welfare, ensuring Laiya remains a harmonious destination for residents and visitors alike. Provincial Agriculturist Rodrigo Bautista echoed the call for collective action, stressing the importance of community involvement in reducing rabies cases and promoting a healthy environment.
To strengthen long-term capability, Biyaya Animal Care also trained provincial veterinarians on the flank spay method, empowering them to address animal overpopulation more effectively. Maxime and UNAHCO–Yumyum Dog Food supported the program by providing giveaways to participants and their pets.
The initiative complements Meralco’s ongoing Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-and-Return (TNVR) program, which supports humane and responsible animal population control within and beyond its facilities. Through its Spay It Forward campaign, Meralco partners with local governments and organizations to extend animal welfare programs to more communities.
Meralco has been implementing a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-and-Return (TNVR) program that aims to address the overpopulation of community animals within the company facilities. Through its Spay It Forward campaign, the company, along with One Meralco Foundation and Landco Pacific Corporation, extended its initiative to the Laiya beach community in San Juan, Batangas.
Meralco Chief CSR Officer and One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao emphasized that caring for animals is part of caring for people, urging more communities to join the advocacy. Meralco Vice President and Corporate Communications Head Joe R. Zaldarriaga added that animal welfare is a key element of the company’s culture of malasakit, noting that partnerships like this help build kinder, safer communities.
Since its launch in 2024, the campaign has already helped more than 670 cats and dogs—an expanding effort that underscores Meralco’s commitment to humane, sustainable community development.