The Bacolod City Council approved a resolution calling on pertinent commercial establishments to strictly adhere to City Ordinance 328, or the Rugby and Other Volatile Substances Ordinance of the city.
The resolution was authored by Councilor Celia Matea Flor, chairperson of the City Council committee on women, gender, family, and childcare.
Flor said the escalating and alarming issue of children engaging in the use of volatile substances such as rugby and solvents within the jurisdiction of Bacolod City has raised serious concerns among citizens, local authorities, and community stakeholders.
She said the utilization of these volatile substances by children has been linked to a surge in criminal activities, with documented instances of theft, vandalism, and other antisocial behaviors directly attributed to the influence of these substances.
"It is evident that the irresponsible use of such substances by children is often facilitated by their easy accessibility, often through commercial establishments that fail to enforce regulations on their sale to minors," she added.
Flor noted that Section 6 of City Ordinance 328 provides for the obligation of commercial establishments to require written consent from the parent or guardian of a minor before any volatile substance can be sold to said minor and the penalties for non-compliance.
Flor said Section 6.2 of City Ordinance 328 requires all business establishments covered under the said ordinance to put up and display signage informing and warning the public regarding the provisions of the ordinance.
She said the implementation and enforcement of City Ordinance 328 represent a pivotal step towards curbing the use of volatile substances among children and deterring the associated negative consequences.
"By addressing the underlying problems contributing to the use of volatile substances among children, the community can work together to provide a brighter and more secure future for the youth of Bacolod City," she added.*