Ban on Slaughter of Young Carabaos and Buffaloes

Executive Order No. 626 is enacted by the President by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution.
Executive Order No. 626 expressly amends Executive Order No. 234.
Executive Order No. 626 recognizes that Executive Order No. 234, as amended by Executive Order No. 253, allowed slaughter of carabaos and buffaloes aged three years old or over.
Executive Order No. 626 tightens the conditions for permissible slaughter of carabaos and buffaloes.

The prohibition is justified by the need to conserve carabaos and buffaloes.
The conservation is for the benefit of small farmers who rely on carabaos and buffaloes for energy needs.

Section 1 prohibits the slaughtering of carabaos and buffaloes except when the specified conditions are met.
Section 1(a) allows slaughter only for carabaos and buffaloes within the required age thresholds.
Section 1(b) conditions any slaughter on prior documentary certification of age and disease-free status.

Under Section 1(a), only carabaos and buffaloes that are seven years old or over, if male, may be slaughtered.
Under Section 1(a), only carabaos and buffaloes that are eleven years old or over, if female, may be slaughtered.
Under Section 1(a), slaughter is allowed upon issuance of the necessary slaughter permit by the authorities concerned.
Under Section 1(b), no slaughter permit may be issued without a certificate from the Provincial or City Veterinarian concerned, or their authorized representatives.

Section 1(b) requires a certificate stating that the animal to be slaughtered is of the required age.
Section 1(b) requires the certificate to state that the carabao or buffalo is free from any disease.
The certificate must cover the specific carabao or buffalo subject to the requested slaughter permit.

Section 2 directs the Minister of Agriculture to issue rules and regulations.
Section 2 requires issuance upon recommendation of the Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry.
Section 2 mandates that the rules and regulations will effectively carry out the provisions of Executive Order No. 626.

Section 3 makes immediate effect the rule for Executive Order No. 626.