No need for new ordinance: Lingam banned by existing laws

CEBU, Philippines – There has been so much talk about the controversial lingam massage and in a public hearing at the Cebu City Council yesterday, the head of the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board said that futher discussion is not necessary.

CAIB chairwoman Dr. Lucille Mercado said that the controversial lingam massage parlors are prohibited under existing laws.

Mercado said that when the board revisited the existing city ordinance, lingam massage falls under Section 6, paragraph (f) of City Ordinance 1408, which defines sex-ual act as acts of masturbation, sexual intercourse, deliberate physical contact with persons covered or exposed genitals, public area of buttocks.

Mercado said that during the public hearing, the doctors themselves admitted that lingam is a form of masturbation though such carries therapeutic effects.

"The legality of lingam should not be discussed because the issue here is whether it is a form of prostitution or not," she said.

Mercado said that prostitution is defined as engagement in sexual acts in exchange for payment.

Therefore, lingam being considered a safe form of sex which men avail in exchange for a certain fees is considered a form of prostitution.

"Ang issue sab sa side of women, even if they get compensation for the job, I think they are receiving P400 for every service, it is a big slap to the women's dignity when you subject her to touch a man's private part," Mercado added.

Mercado said that the existing ordinance just need to be updated so it can state in black and white that lingam massage violates the city's anti-indecency laws.

"The ordinance needs some updating. We will create our recommendation to the council to include in the ordinance the ban of all forms of massage on the reproduc-tive organ," she said.

She understands that the existing law was created in 1991 when lingam wasn't popular yet in the county.

She said that the need to update the law is imperative because there are now new forms of pornography and prostitution.

Next week, CAIB will inspect beer houses, clubs, theaters and other similar establishments to check if they have private rooms where prostitution or private shows are done.

Mercado said that they will send proper notices to the establishments because they do not intend to make business difficult for them, but they would like to remind or inform them that there is an existing ordinance on anti-indecency.

Public Hearing

In the public hearing yesterday, medical and health officials said that the controversial lingam massage, which includes massaging the testicles, perineum and the pros-tate, has no therapeutic value.

The public hearing was held in relation to the proposal to regulate such form of massage and limit it to medical clinics that are accredited by government.

Department of Health operations officer Jocelyn Abellana and Lohindrin Adorable, rehabilitation specialist of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, both said that there are no medical and scientific studies to prove such claim of curing prostate problems.

Abellana said that men with erectile dysfunction better seek medical help.

"It has no role in prevention, but it only helps the problem of impotence. The problem here, it can be a front to prostitution if not properly directed," Abellana told members of the city council.

The Department of Health-Central Office, according to Abellana is now crafting guidelines on lingam massage after learning it that it has been a controversial matter in Cebu.

Furthermore, Abellana said that therapeutic massage to the male organ may be allowed if there is clearance from the doctor.

Adorable, who is a medical specialist, also suggested to the council that men having problems with their prostate should go to the hospitals and not to massage parlors.

Abellana added that the Department of Health has started implementing Presidential Decree (PD) 856 that requires massage clinics and spas to have at least one li-censed massage therapist (LMT).

Section 62(a) of PD 856 or the Code on Sanitation mandated that a massage therapist should have a certification issued by the DOH Committee of Examiners for Mas-sage Therapy before practicing this skill.

A massage therapist has to undergo training from one of the 12 DOH-accredited training institutions before taking the licensure examinations given in June and De-cember each year.

The license of a massage therapist is renewable every three years.

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

City treasurer Ofelia Oliva, meanwhile, told the city council that out of 99 massage parlors in the city, four of them are operating bearing the name of lingam massage. 

She also said that when these establishments apply for a business permit, they apply as a massage parlor and don't mention lingam massage. -/NLQ (FREEMAN)