Businesses in sale of rugby told to register

MANILA, Philippines - Marikina City-based businesses engaged in the sale and use of rugby and other toluene-based contact cement products were told to secure their registration licenses from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Among the businesses covered by the directive are hardware stores and shoe manufacturers.

The action was in line with the directive of the Dangerous Drugs Board regulating the use of TBCC products. The DDB Regulation No. 6, Series of 2007, classifies TBCC products without at least five-percent mustard oil content as dangerous drugs.

It requires all contact cement manufacturers to register with PDEA, otherwise, they will be charged under RA 9165 (Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002).

PDEA operatives led by Assistant Secretary and Deputy Director General for Administration Roberto Santiago recently spearheaded the registration at the Marikina City Hall.

“We consider [registration] as a deterrent to addiction and abuse of rugby, especially among street children,” Santiago said.