Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 637)
The purpose of Act No. 637 is to regulate the registration, branding, conveyance, and slaughter of large cattle in the Philippines.
Large cattle under this Act include cattle, carabaos, and horses.
The central office of registration is under the control of the Secretary of the Interior and is charged to the Bureau of Patents, Copyrights, and Trade-Marks.
All brands of large cattle within the limits of a municipality must be registered at the local office of registration.
The municipality's brand shall be marked on the left hip of all large cattle owned by its inhabitants - vertical for males, horizontal for females. The owner's private brand shall be on the right hip, in vertical position only.
Cattle bred in the municipality must be branded when they are between two and three years old.
Proof of ownership must be established by the testimony of two legally competent witnesses who are also cattle owners, examined by municipal officials.
The fee for each certificate of cattle branding is ten cents in United States money or the equivalent in local currency.
Conveyance may be effected (1) in the presence of municipal officials by registration and issuance of a printed document or (2) by a public instrument before a notary public, especially if cattle are part of an estate.
Violations can be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
A fine of five dollars or imprisonment for twenty days if the fine is not paid.
A fine of five dollars per animal or imprisonment for twenty days in default of payment.
The owner must show the certificate of ownership to the municipal treasurer, who will make a written statement on the certificate regarding the death or loss with consent of municipal officials.
Yes, animals disabled by old age or accident may be slaughtered after examination and approval by municipal health officials.
A certificate of ownership or a deed of conveyance, or both if available, must be presented to the municipal treasurer.