BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City Government has intensified the enforcement of City Ordinance No. 328, or the “Rugby and Other Volatile Substances Ordinance of Bacolod City,” following the circulation of social media posts showing minors carrying and allegedly inhaling rugby in parts of the city.
The ordinance reinforces the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1619, which prohibits the unauthorized sale, possession, and use of volatile substances by minors for the purpose of inducing intoxication or altering, distorting, or impairing mental and sensory functions. It also provides intervention measures for individuals affected by substance abuse.
In response to public concern, City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo said he has directed the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) to remind business establishments to strictly comply with the prohibition against selling volatile substances to minors.
He said business owners must exercise due diligence in verifying the age of buyers whenever necessary.
Covered by the ordinance are volatile substances such as glue or rugby, gasoline, kerosene, ether, paint thinner, lacquer, methanol, ethanol, acetone, benzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform, nitrous oxide, and other similar chemical compounds commonly associated with substance abuse.
Mayo said the city already has an ordinance regulating the sale of these products, but stricter enforcement has become necessary following reports of a resurgence of rugby-sniffing incidents involving minors.
“We will have to tighten our regulations and closely monitor compliance. Any violations committed by business establishments will be dealt with accordingly,” Mayo said.
Under the ordinance, parents, guardians, or any adult who authorizes or instructs a minor to purchase, acquire, or handle volatile substances that are later used for inhalation or intoxication may face imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of P1,000, or both, at the court’s discretion.
Business establishments are likewise required to obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian before selling volatile substances to minors, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1619. Failure to comply may result in the revocation of business permits, closure of establishments, and the imposition of penalties under existing laws.
The ordinance also requires all covered establishments to prominently display warning signages informing the public of the restrictions on the sale and use of volatile substances.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) continues to conduct monitoring and rescue operations involving minors, including those reportedly engaged in rugby sniffing, to provide appropriate intervention, counseling, and other support services.
City officials urged parents, business owners, and the public to work together in protecting children and preventing substance abuse among the youth./PN
