As part of the requirements of the political science class of NMC instructor Samuel McPhetres the three students chose to perform community service for the mayor’s office.
“I am so impressed that students are willing to find ways to protect our environment and solve the problem with stray dogs,” said Tudela, whose term ends this January.
The three students — Thomarlyn Mendiola, Mia A. Jones and Rheena Aquino — will look into the impact of the stray dogs on local tourism the environment and the community.
Annie Santos, NMC service learning program coordinator, said the students will coordinate with the mayor’s office in preparing questionnaires relevant to the stray dog problem.
McPhetres said by the end of the school semester the students will present their findings to him and to the mayor’s office.
Tudela said he is hoping that the next mayor will review the findings.
In a separate interview, Mendiola said she is interested about the issue of stray dogs and the construction of the animal shelter because there are a lots of complaints from the community about these issues.
She said they will conduct the survey at government offices, business establishments and in the community.
Jones said their survey aims to find solutions to the island’s stray dog and roadkill problems.
“No one seems to care about [these issues,” she added.
Tudela told the students that it was the Legislature that failed to provide adequate funding for the animal shelter program.
