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In

light

of

the

foregoing

utilitarian

perspective,

the

rights and welfare of the animals in the Philippine context is a concern but not a major one. It is a common knowledge that Philippines

is

ecosystem. The

a

well-known

most

of

the

country

because

of

its

citizens

here in

the

diverse

Philippines

living under poverty threshold opt to do illegal transactions such as poaching and selling animals in the verge of extinction, especially because our country is incapable of providing them opportunities. According to Jeremy Bentham, “the question is not “can they reason?” nor “can they talk?” but rather “can they suffer?””, hence, although the main point of the utilitarian theory is the weighing of what is the most advantageous to the most number of people, the people who consumes these resources are expected to take care of its resources. Indeed, it is mankind’s obligation to utilize its given resources on hand but not exhausting it to the point by which a life has to suffer. We also need to remember that it is also man’s obligation to take care of other beings, including those that are of lower species. But when push comes to shove,

people—

regardless

of

their

principles—

would

always

resort to means that will ensure their survival. As it is said, the end justifies the means. As long as man can bring food to the table, no matter what ways he has used to obtain it, will always be justifiable for him because it has allowed him to meet his

obligation not just to himself but also to his family- that is to survive. Man’s drive for survival will always overpower his drive for morality. Now, as to the question whether the concern for animal rights and welfare is a first world problem, we think that it is not. As what we have mentioned in the earlier part of this paper, it is also mankind’s responsibility to take care of other lower species. Hence, to take care of the animals is not just a concern for first world countries but of the entire inhabitants of this planet. Come to think of it, it should be more of a concern to other countries that belongs in the second and third world because illegal acts that involves the killing, torture, and selling of endangered animals are more prevalent. Albert Schweitzer once said that we need a boundless ethics that include animals also. Thus, though humans are a more logical creation, we should also give rights to animals. DAHULORAN, VASIL JAY-AR DAULONG, MEIKA PAULINE DIANA, NIKKI LOUISE DOROMAL, BEA WONDERFUL GOMEZ, MARY DAVE HEQUILAN, JAMES JR....