2 hardware stores closed for ‘rugby’ sale
In a bid to solve the increasing number of “rugby boys” in his city, Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday ordered the closure of two hardware stores selling aromatic contact cement and solvents to minors.
Gatchalian, with other city officials, personally served the closure order on Homelife Merchandising and Monte Hardware stores in Barangay Karuhatan on Friday.
Their licenses to operate in the city were subsequently revoked.
The two stores were found to have violated a 2010 ordinance prohibiting the sale of rugby and other types of solvents to minors, or those aged 17 or below, according to authorities.
Twelve “rugby boys” who were arrested by the personnel of the city’s social welfare and development office on May 23 tipped off authorities about the illegal sales.
The boys—street children coming from the “poorest of the poor”—were found sniffing rugby, a brand of glue, and other solvents, apparently to help them deal with hunger pains.
They admitted that they bought the products from the two hardware stores.
“Apart from bringing these boys to rehabilitation centers like Bahay Kalinga ng Valenzuela, we also want to cut the sources of their addiction,” Gatchalian said.
The city government has apprehended at least 50 children in conflict with the law in the past month. Most of them were found to be addicted to solvents.
The mayor said the closure of the two stores was only the beginning of a continuing crackdown on erring business owners.
“These businesses have the moral obligation not to push these children even further to this dangerous addiction,” he said.
Gatchalian urged hardware stores to refrain from selling and distributing toluene-based products to minors and to use a logbook in recording every purchase made.
Mejia said the closure order was effective immediately, but could be lifted once the city’s business permit and licensing office grants the stores a “certificate of compliance,” showing that they have complied with the city’s laws and ordinances.
