Exemption for blind therapists proposed

MANILA, Philippines—Blind massage therapists belonging to legitimate cooperatives should be exempt from a state policy requiring masseurs and masseuses to take lessons and pass written exams to acquire a work license, a party-list lawmaker said.

Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (Agap) Rep. Rico B. Geron has filed House Resolution No. 1691 calling on the House of Representatives to direct the cooperatives committee to appeal to the Department of Health (DOH) to implement such an exemption.

In an explanatory note, he said the licensing procedure for massage therapists stated in an administrative order issued by the DOH in 2010 accounted for visually impaired practitioners.

Under Administrative Order No. 2010-0034, all massage therapist should undergo accreditation by the DOH to continue their practice in order to set sanitation standards for establishments providing massage services.

“They have to abide with the training regulations, curriculum for the licensure examination, manual for the licensure examination and DOH licensure protocols,” Geron said.

Among the requirements are the completion of a training program consisting of 76 hours of lectures and 60 hours of clinical instruction, a written exam and an oral and practical exam.

The lawmaker said the DOH order was intended to regulate the practice of massage therapy to ensure that only qualified individuals could enter the profession and that the care and services would be standardized.

Some massage establishments are known to be fronts for prostitution.