‘Embalmers, therapists must get license’

Funeral parlor embalmers and massage therapists will be required to have licenses to practice their trade.

This developed after the Department of Health amended its Implementing Rules and Regulations for all funeral parlors conducting embalming services and establishments conducting massage services required these personnel to have a license.

The amended rules from DOH Administrative Order 33 and 34 require these embalmers and massage therapists to get their licenses from the health department.

The health department before only required massage therapists to have a sanitary permit.

Embalmers and massage therapists are also required to undergo training from DOH-accredited schools and take the examinations for their licenses.

“Embalming is not allowed in the house. It should be done in the embalming facility for sanitary purposes,” said engineer Evangeline Canoneo,  Environment and Occupational Health Coordinator of DOH-7.

In Cebu, Translife Care Cebu in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City, is the only school in Cebu offering a three-week training program for embalmers accredited by the DOH.

Sarah Dychangco of Translife, said the Translife Care was one of seven accredited schools in the country. The other schools are in Manila.

According to the DOH, the International NKYR Academy is one of the accredited schools in the Philippines to train massage therapists.

Canoneo said that the local government would conduct an information drive about the amended rules, which was approved in December.

She said the rules would have been implemented on February this year but the order would need to be disseminated by the local government units (LGUs).

She said that the LGUs would monitor these establishments if they followed the amended rules.

Canoneo said a three-strike policy would be adopted for violators of the  amended rules.

Sanctions will include a P1,000 penalty or six months imprisonment.

“Hopefully, local offices will not issue sanitary permits if establishments will not comply.” Canoneo said. /Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rossell