According to the Barangay Officials, the ordinance aims to address what they described as “irresponsible feeding” practices that lead to littering and sanitation issues in the village.

Barangay Captain Cynthia D. Cervantes explained the arguments of residents over stray animals, during its public hearing

“Here in Bel-air village, there's a big group of cat lovers and cat haters. In the Viber group, sometimes it takes two whole days for them arguing why and what to do with the cats," she said.

She stressed that the proposed ordinance is not meant to promote cruelty, but to regulate feeding done in the neighborhood.

“We get cats here every day. Sometimes it’s just found there. Our space for stray cats, we can only hold so much,” she stated.

Cervantes also said the barangay already has ongoing initiatives for animal welfare, including “Adopt a Friend” program that encourages residents to take in stray cats.

However, groups like the Bacolod Animal Chance & Hope Project Philippines (BACH) maintained that the ordinance could criminalize compassion and violate the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (RA 8485 as amended by RA 10631)—the law punishes cruelty and neglect but does not prohibit feeding animals.

“If a barangay prohibits feeding, then you are the one violating the law. Passing an ordinance to stop people from feeding hungry animals? That’s not leadership, that’s cruelty.” BACH called out in a statement.

Animal welfare advocates urged residents to oppose the measure and instead support for humane stray management through regulated feeding, spay-and-neuter campaigns, and adoption programs.