Lapu-Lapu to close two "lingam" parlors

CEBU, Philippines - The city health office in Lapu-Lapu City, in a report, has recommended the closure of two massage parlors, namely, the "Chuva-Chuva Lingam Massage" and "Healing Space Lingam Massage" for lack of sanitary permits and health cards for attendants.

A worried Mayor Paz Radaza who met with spa and massage parlor managers and owners yesterday proposed regulating the parlors to prevent prostitution. She will ask the city council to look into the matter and urge it to adopt an ordinance that would standardize such parlors.

"I am afraid this will lead to prostitution," Radaza said.

The report of city health officer Rodolfo Berame, which has been forwarded to the city attoryney's office, stated that the two "lingam" massage parlors did not offer "extra-service" but just the same, he recommended closure because the attendants of the two massage parlors did not have health certificates, licenses, and trained therapists.

Presently, the city has 30 spas and massage parlors.

Jhonie Lim, president of the Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (SWAC), told the mayor "lingam" is not being peddled to tourists.

"What we are promoting is "hilot," Lim said. He said Cebu is promoting medical tourism, and made it clear that "lingam" is not part of the package.

Lim said the association's goal is "to endorse spas and that his group is the only association recognized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Health (DOH)."

"Of course, we go out and conduct inspections before we make endorsements," he said.

In the same conference, International NKYR Academy representative Maria Teresita Tatara said Swedish and Shiatsu are the only massages that are precise in their methods.

Tatara, who is married to a Japanese businessman, and is owner of TonTon Massage Corp, is a licensed masseuse and operates a training center which teaches traditional Thai massage.

The center can accommodate 60 students at a time for a 30-hour course every April and October.

The course consists of lessons in human anatomy, physiology, ethics, and jurisprudence and practice of massage among others.

Noting that massage comes in various types such as Swedish and Thai, Tatara suggested that the DOH improve the practical examinations given to masseuses.

DOH has mandated that for every 50 therapists, there should be at least 1 licensed masseuse.

The INA, which is one of eight training centers in the Philippine, is accredited by the DOH.

Tatara pointed out that Section 62(a), Chapter XIII of Presidential Decree No. 856 (PD 856), states that a masseur "must have a certificate as a registered masseur, issued by the Committee on Examiners for Masseur of the Department."

This law was issued in December 23, 1975 by the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

According to PD 856, every clinic or massage parlor should have one licensed therapist or attendants should possess certification of training.

Tatara however cautioned the city in the regulation of "lingam" massage parlors saying that "it might be discriminatory."

"If we will isolate "lingam," my concern will be they might accuse us of discriminating them," Tatara said, adding that there might be some massage parlors and spas that offer "extra-services."

On the other hand, Lim said there are only few members of SWAC.

He suggested that the city coordinate with the association when processing permits for spa operators. THE FREEMAN