A portion of Congressional Road Extension in Barangay 173 in North Caloocan has turned into a grazing area for stray cows, posing a problem for residents in the area.
According to Vonne Aquino’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the cows obstruct the road and pose a risk to motorists – all while the cows munch on trash.
Staff of nearby establishments said the cows usually wander unattended and end up on the said road every 7 p.m.
“Minsan naman, may customer kami dito na nakaitim. Napagkamalan yatang garbage bag ng baka. So nasuwag siya nung sungay ng baka,” said Angel Tan, a worker in an ice cream shop.
(One time, we have a customer here who wore black. The cow probably mistook him for a garbage bag. So he was gored by the cow’s horn.)
Customers also complained about the foul smell of the cows’ waste left on the road.
“Nakakawalan ng gana po kasi mabaho po talaga at nangangamoy kahit malayo,” said Alyssa Rabago.
(It’s really off-putting because it really stinks and one can smell it from afar.)
On Wednesday afternoon, the cows were found roaming around a vacant lot not far from Congressional Road Extension, without anyone looking after them.
Officials of Barangay 173 are unable to do anything about the situation as they don’t even know who owns the cows.
“Kapag may mga baka diyan, wala kaming ginawa kundi bugawin nang bugawin yung mga baka. Tinitingnan din namin kung sino may-ari,” said barangay kagawad Hector Leaño.
(Whenever there are cows over there, all we do is constantly shoo them away. We are also checking on who’s the owner.)
Even the city veterinary department cannot identify the owner of the cows. The owner is believed to be from North Caloocan or from nearby Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Authorities are looking for a temporary facility where the cows can be secured.
“Mag-i-identify kami ng vacant area na malapit sa tinatambayan ng mga baka, ‘yung area na ‘yun. Ang gagawin namin doon babakodan namin ‘yun and maglalagay kami doon ng tarpaulin as temporary holding facility ng mga baka,” said city veterinarian Teodoro Rosales.
(We will identify a vacant area near where the cows usually hang out, that specific area. What we will do is fence it off and put up a tarpaulin as a temporary holding facility for the cows.)
Rosales warned the cows’ owner that he or she will have to pay fees for the upkeep of the cows once they are housed in the temporary holding facility.
“May babayaran kang redemption fee tapos mayroon pa rin pong parang maintain for everyday na hindi mo naki-claim ‘yung baka mo.”
(You will have to pay a redemption fee and there will also be a sort of maintenance [fee] for every day that you fail to claim your cow.)
“‘Pag hindi lumabas itong si may-ari, mako-consider na po ‘yan as government property pwede nang i-auction ng LGU ng Caloocan.”
(If the owner does not come forward, it will be considered government property and can be auctioned off by the LGU [local government unit] of Caloocan.)
Meanwhile, the Animal Kingdom Foundation is planning to file complaints against the cows’ owner for violation of Animal Welfare Act, city ordinances, and sanitation rules.
“They are not supposed to be there to begin with. Kaya may tinatawag tayong traffic and public safety issue,” said program director Heidi Caguioa.
(They are not supposed to be there to begin with. That’s why we have what we call a traffic and public safety issue.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News
