BRGY. SADSADAN, BAUKO -Barangay Captain Arsenio S. Damilo spearheaded the strict reiteration of Municipal Ordinance No. 01-2001 also known as the Strict Compliance of Municipal Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale and Offering of Intoxicating Drinks to Minor (18yrs. and below) in the Municipality of Bauko, Mt. Province; Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, during the People’s Day Meeting previously conducted on June 6, 2023.
Reason in Reiteration of Ordinance
The program aims to address the concerns of the different barangays that includes the problem of the rising number of cases involving intoxicated minors not only within the individual barangays of Bauko, but of the municipality as a whole.
According to Memorandum No. 32 of the Office of the Municipal Mayor, “Recently, very alarming incidents of suicide cases have been reported to the authorities to have occurred in our Municipality involving minors specially students. And sadly, the common denominator in most of these incidents could be traced to liquor intake by the minor-victims which undoubtedly affected their mental state that induced them to commit such horrendous acts.”
During the People’s Day meeting, an increase of incidents involving minors was raised. Damilo also stated that the alarming incidents needs immediate action. This is supported by Special Assistant to the Mayor, Sebastian Badongen as well as other barangay captains present during the meeting.
Increase on the number of cases involving minors
According to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), for 2022, there were a total of 3 cases involving minors liquor intoxication and violators of the Municipal Ordinance Act No. 4096.
However, for 2023, MSWDO recorded 15 juvenile cases in Bauko for the first semester. Whereas, for the first quarter, there are six child-at-risk records, and for the second quarter two children at risk and seven Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) recorded.
This data indicates that there is indeed an extreme increase of cases involving minors related to liquor intoxication as record shows.
Barangay Captain’s plea
Moreover, Damilo seeks cooperation from the storekeepers and store owners to abide by the implementation of the said ordinance. Additionally, he also reiterated that it is important to remind the community about the said issue for it to be given attention and further solution.
“Masapol nga agtitinulong, masapol nga ma e riing manen, masapol nga dyay barbarangay apan da riingen manen nga maiaramid da dyay na aproban nga ordinace.”
People’s response
On the other hand, a resident of Barangay Mabaay and a parent expressed her opinion stating that the reiteration of the Municipal Ordinance No. 01-2001, is a good thing for the community since it promotes discipline not only within the community but most especially the youths. “No syak a ket maymayat ti ada ordinance nga dakdakkel ti multa tapno bareng agbuteng ti uubbing.” By Tracy Fermin