REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

CITY OF ILOILO
OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 24rn REGULAR SESSION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF THE CITY OF ILOILO,
PHILIPPINES, HELD AT THE SESSION HALL, NEW CITY HALL BUILDING, PLAZA
LIBERTAD, ILOILO CITY, ON TUESDAY, 23 JUNE 2015
PRESENT:
HON. JOSE S. ESPINOSA III
Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

HON.LYNDON V. ACAP

Member

HON. JOSHUA C. ALIM, Floor Leader

Member

HON. RODEL F. AGADO

HON. LADY JULIE GRACE L. BARONDA
HON. R LEONE N. GEROCHI
HON. JASON R. GONZALES

Member

HON. CARLOS P. GUARIN,

Member

Pres.,Liga ng mga Barangay

Member
Member
Ex-Officio Member

Member

HON. PLARIDEL C. NAVA, II Asst. Floo Leade<

HON. ARMAND S. PARCON
HON. EDUARDO L. PD/AREDONDO
HON. LIEZL JOY ZULUETA-SALAZAR
HON. JOSE EFRAIN G. TRENAS III

Member
Member
Member
Member

ABSENT:

Member

HON. NIELEX C. TUPAS (Official Travel)

REGULATION ORDINANCE NO. 2015-306

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF MASSAGE CLINICS,
SAUNA BATHS AND SPA ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE CITY OF ILOILO AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sponsored by Councilor Plaridel C. Nava II and Co-sponsored by Councilors
Liezl Joy Zulueta-Salazar and Jason R. Gonzales, duly seconded by Councilors Redel F.
Agado and Lyndon V. Acap
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter XIII of Presidential Decree No. 856 otherwise known as
the "Sanitation Code of the Philippines", the Department of Health (DOH) has created the
Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMn regulating the practice of massage
therapy;
WHEREAS, the DOH upon recommendation of the CEMT issued Administrative Order
No. 2010-0034 last December 10, 2010 containing the "Revised Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) Governing Massage Clinics and Sauna Establishments";
WHEREAS, the rationale behind the revision of the IRR is to further adopt current trends
and modem practices of massage therapy, thuspreparing massage therapists to become more
competent and globally competitive and at the' ,~rune time, improve the quality of health service
they provide as well as performance of massage therap'ists;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Executive Order No. 10 dated January 30, 1987 the Department
of Tourism (DOT) had likewise issued the "Rules and Regulations to Govern the Accreditation

.,,

Page 2. Regulation Ordinance No. 2015-306. Jwie 23. 2015

of Spa" last January 31, 2011 which also requires the employment of a DOH :registered massage
therapists in all spa establishments;

WHEREAS, the passage of DOH-CEMT Resolution No. 2011-001, entitled: "Prescribed

Transition Period for Compliance to Administrative Order No. 2010-0034" which sets a three (3)
year transition period beginning January 2011 to December 2014 for existing establishments
offering massage services to enable their massage therapists to undergo licensure examinations,
hence, must meet the basic requirement and qualification in accordance with the above-cited
Administrative Order;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of
Iloilo, in session duly assembled, that:
Section 1 - Title. This ordinance shall be known as the "The Ordinance Regulating the
Operation of Massage Clinics, Sauna Baths and Spa Establishments in the City of Iloilo and
Providing Penalties Therefor and For Other Purposes".
Section 2 - Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this ordinance, the following terms
are hereby defined as follows:
a. Accreditation - this refers to the act of recognition or method of determining
whether an eligible organization, institution, individual or program complies with
the approved standard of serviCe and/or facilities required by concerned
government agencies;
b. Certificate of Registration (COR) - this refers to a written commendation issued
by the DOH-CEMT authorizing a person to practice massage therapy as a
profession;
c. Health Certificate - this refers to a written commendation issued by the City
Health Officer to persons providing massage services after passing the required
physical and medical examinations, to include the required physical and medical
examinations, to include the required immunizations and the following diagnostic
tests:
c.l X-ray/Fluoroscopic examination
c.2 Stool and other examinations as may be required:
d. Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT) - this refers to a trained person who has
passed the licensure examination for massage therapists. He/she is a holder of a
valid Certificate of Registration (COR) and license for massage therapists issued
by the Department of Health (DOH) Committee of Examiners for Massage
Therapy (CEMT);
e. Massage - a method wherein the superficial soft parts of the body are rubbed,
stroked, kneaded or tapped for remedial, aesthetic or hygienic purposes. It also
includes the practice of reflexology, synchrotherapy, physical therapy and other
similar techniques that use instruments and/or parts of the human body;
f.

Massage Clinic - an establishment equipped with necessary facilities for the

practice of massage or massage therapy under the guidance/supervision of a
registered masseur;

g. Massage Therapy - this refers to a system of assessment, evaluation and manual

application techniques used in scientific manner taking into account the muscle

Page 3. Regulation Ordinance No. 2015-306. Jwie 23. 2015

locations stress points and other anatomical considerations of the human body. It

includes adjunctive external application of water, heat and cold, stretching,

passive and active joint movement within the normal physiologic range of motion
as a means of promoting pain relief, injury rehabilitation or health improvement;
h. Sauna Bath Establishment - an establishment where customers are exposed to
steam which is generated by sprinkling water on hot stones or by some other
means;
i.

Spa - is a facility that exudes a tranquil environment offering various amenities

and services intended to relieve stress, pamper the body and make one feel
relaxed and rejuvenated to promote a healthier way of life.

Section 3 - Licenses to be displayed conspicuously Certificate of Registration of a License Massage Therapist issued by the Deparbnent of
Health, Committee of Examiner for Massage Therapist (CEMT) under the provision of this
ordinance must be displayed in a conspicuous place of the establishment.
Section 4 - Prohibited Acts:
a. No establishment for massage clinics, sauna baths, spas and other similar
establishments shall be allowed to operate in the City of Iloilo without employing
a duly Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT);
b. No owner/operator shall allow or permit their establishment or facility to be used
for prostitution or any other illegal, immoral or illicit activities;
c. No person is authorized to practice massage or massage therapy as a profession in
the City oflloilo without holding a valid Certificate of Registration (COR) issued
by the Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT) and approved by
the Secretary of Health;
d. No massage therapist is allowed to prescribe any form of drugs or substance for
medical therapy;
e. Massage therapist shall clip their health certificate visibly in the upper left portion
of their uniform to be worn within the establishment but can be removed while
performing the actual massage therapy on clients;
f.

Massage therapist shall wear clean and decent working garments when attending
to clients;

g. Massage therapist are not allowed to render service, other than the proper standard
massage to clients;

);

h. A licensed massage therapist shall render no more than eight (8) hours of duty per
day.

Section 5 - Penalties
a. Any person found guilty violating this ordinance shall be penalized as follows:

Page 4. Regulation Ordinance No. 2015306. June 23. 2015

First Offense - A fine of FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P 500.00) or imprisonment of

not more than thirty (30) days or both fine and imprisonment upon the discretion of
the court.
Second Offense -A fine of ONE THOUSAND PESOS (Pl,000.00) or imprisonment
of not less than thirty (30) days and not more than three (3) months or both fine and
imprisonment upon the discretion of the court.
Third Offense and Succeeding Offenses - A fine of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P
5,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months and not more than six (6)
months or both fme and imprisonment upon the discretion of the court.
b. Administrative Penalties for Establishments
First Offense-A fme of P 3,000.00 and written Notice of Warning.
Second Offense - A fine of P 4,000.00 and closure of the place of business for five
(5) days.
Third Offense-A fine of P 5,000.00 and revocation of Business Pennit.
Section 6 - Transitionary Clause - The minimum requirement in the practice of the
profession by Massage Therapists shall be the possession of a TESDA valid National Certificate
in Massage Therapy NCII during moratorium period January 2015 to December 2017 per DOH
TESDA Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2015-001.
Section 7 - Separability Clause - If any provision of this ordinance shall be declared
invalid or unconstitutional by appropriate court, other provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section 8 - Repealing Clause - Any and all existing ordinances of the City of Iloilo
which are contrary or inconsistent herewith are hereby amended or modified accordingly.
Section 9 - Effectivity Clause - This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval. Full
implementation of a LMT shall take effect beginning January 1, 2018.
ENACTED. June 23, 2015.
I hereby certify to the correctness of the above quoted ordinance.

THH.ARROYO

ti r'll\rigguni

ATTESTED AND CERT! ED

TO BED LY ENACTED:

JO
Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer

/mtb