VM Labella Backs Ordinance Banning Sale of Solvents to Minors

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella has batted for the passage of a local ordinance regulating the sale of solvents such as rugby in the city.

The said ordinance will also push for the prohibition of the sale of these substances to minors.

Labella issued the statement after a city joint operation on Friday rescued at least 45 children living under the bridges in Barangays Banilad and Mabolo. Many of the children were caught sniffing rugby.

The “rescued” minors used the bridges as their living quarters and also for sniffing rugby, Labella said.

Labella, a lawyer, said he will ask one of the councilors to draft an ordinance that will regulate the sale of rugby in the city and prohibit minors from buying it to prevent them from being dependent on the solvent.

“This is a learning experience. We have observed that it’s easy for them to buy rugby at a cheap price. Legislative intervention, by way of an ordinance, should be crafted in the city,” he said.

Some of those rescued said they can buy a plastic of rugby for PHP5 at hardware stores.

The sale of volatile substances such as rugby to minors was already prohibited by Presidential Decree 1619, which penalizes “the use or possession or the unauthorized sale to minors of volatile substances for the purpose of inducing intoxication or in any manner changing, distorting or disturbing the auditory, visual or mental process” of persons.

Minors can buy the solvent, but only with a written consent from their parents and guardians.

A penalty of imprisonment ranging from four to eight years and a fine ranging from PHP4,000 to PHP8,000 will be imposed upon any person “who sells, administers, delivers, or gives away to another, any volatile substance for the purpose of inhalation to induce or produce intoxication.” (PNA) FFC/BNB/EB/SSC