Industry players seek changes ‘DOH mandate for masseurs unreasonable, waste of time’

CEBU, Philippines – Industry stakeholders in wellness and tourism have expressed their disapproval on the current memorandum circular issued by the Department of Health requiring masseurs to undergo intensive training.

To convey their protest, the Cebu Health and Wellness Council, Network of Independent Travel Agencies, SKAL International, Tourism Educators and Movers of the Philippines, are preparing a position paper to seek amendments of the DOH's memorandum circular on the training and licensure requirements of the masseurs. The position paper will be submitted to President Benigno Aquino III.

NITAS chairman Bobby Lim Joseph said that the current requirement of the DOH prior to giving licenses to masseurs are "unreasonable", expensive and waste of time.

Part of the course outline of the training is for masseurs to study, anatomy, micro-biology, physiology and current events. These subjects, Joseph said though informative, are not actually necessary to the actual practice of the masseurs.

Joseph claimed that while DOH is requiring all masseurs to undergo 40 hours to 60 hours training to accredited training centers with average training fees of P8 thousand to P10 thousand, excluding other expenses is too much of a requirement.

According to Joseph the wellness industry, including spa, massage centers and others are still on its developing stage, while skill standardization is important, over-all skills training requirement, and licensing should be in synch with the current state and that financial capability of masseurs to undergo such skill upgrading system should also be considered.

There are over 200 thousand masseurs around the country--at least those that provide services in spa centers, hotels, massage parlors, and others. Since the memorandum circular was issued by DOH about two-and-a-half years ago, only 7,600 masseurs  have licenses and have proper skills certifications.

Aside from expensive training fees, Joseph said other requirements stipulated on the memorandum such as requiring every spa and massage center outlet  to hire only high school graduates as  "impossible."

According to Joseph, the robust growth of wellness sector in the Philippines, has helped provide livelihood for housewives, single mothers, and even the out-of-school-youth community, and unemployed to take proper training in massage therapy and earn a living.

Because of the high standard requirement for masseur imposed by DOH, it will cripple the opportunity for the wellness sector to grow and thrive, as well as lessening the chances of employed people to take extra skills as masseurs.

"We had several meetings with DOH. If nothing happens, we will bring this matter to the President. But., we are already preparing our position paper," Joseph said.