QuestionsQuestions (DOH IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF CHAPTER XIII ~ "MASSAGE CLINICS AND SAUNA BATH ESTABLISHMENTS" OF THE CODE ON SANITATION OF THE PHILIPPINES)
The IRR applies to all massage clinics and sauna bath establishments, masseurs/massagists, massage attendants, sauna bath attendants, and other similar entities and practitioners.
The IRR defines, among others: (1) massage as rubbing/stroking/kneading/tapping for remedial/aesthetic/hygienic purposes and including techniques using instruments/body parts; (2) massage clinic as an establishment equipped for massage under a registered masseur’s guidance/supervision; (3) masseur/massagist as a trained person who passed the DOH examination and holds a valid Certificate of Registration; (4) sanitation permit as the written permission/certification by the local health officer that the establishment complies with sanitation requirements; (5) sanitation inspector as a government official/personnel enforcing sanitary rules; and (6) sauna bath establishment as a place where customers are exposed to steam generated by sprinkling water on hot stones or similar means.
No. Section 3.1 provides that no establishment shall open and operate for public patronage without a sanitary permit issued by the local health officer.
Any extension, additional construction, or alteration requires a new sanitary permit before the establishment may operate.
A sanitary permit is valid for one (1) year ending on the last day of December of each year and is renewed every beginning of the year. The permit may be suspended or revoked upon recommendation by the local health officer for violation of sanitary rules and regulations.
The permit must be posted in a conspicuous place and be available for inspection. The city/municipality must maintain records showing details such as holder’s name/address, location, type of business, first issuance and renewal dates, changes in management, sanitation conditions under which the permit was issued, and any revocation.
A masseur must first secure a Certificate of Registration issued by the DOH Committee of Examiners for Masseurs.
They must have an up-to-date health certificate including STD clearances at least every two (2) weeks. The IRR also states that other tests (e.g., HBsAG, VDRL, HIV) may be required depending on the local health officer’s discretion; for HIV testing, the consent of the masseur/attendant must be secured first.
They must wash hands thoroughly with soap, water, and 70% isopropyl alcohol before and after massaging. They are also prohibited from taking a bath with customers (in any shower/tub/hydromassage setting).
A registered masseur may supervise a maximum of fifty (50) massage attendants and must render no less than six (6) hours of supervision a day.
An attendant must be at least 18 years old, submit a medical certificate proving fitness from a government physician (preferably the city/municipal health officer), complete at least sixty (60) hours of practical massage training under a registered masseur with a training certificate noted by the local health officer, and attend seminars/lectures on sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS conducted by competent health authorities.
Sauna bath attendants are strictly prohibited from taking the sauna bath with customers.
Massage rooms must be at least five (5) square meters, have a sliding curtain/swing wooden door or equivalent at the entrance (doors with locks are not permitted), and provide specified items per table for each customer (sheets, towels, pillow/pillow case, etc.), with disinfection using water-based disinfectant after every use. Sauna bath rooms must be at least five (5) square meters, have automatic-type doors that can be opened inside in case of emergency, have non-heat retaining bench materials, and must include a thermometer and well-maintained thermostat regulators.
For every five (5) massage tables: at least one (1) handwashing facility with hot and cold water, one (1) shower room, and one (1) water closet. For every five (5) customers in sauna baths: one (1) shower room, one (1) water closet, one (1) lavatory, and one (1) urinal, plus individual lockers. Water must be adequate and potable, with hot and cold running water.
The IRR requires evaluation/inspection at least once every three (3) months (and additional inspections/re-inspections as deemed necessary).
Inspections should be conducted within seven (7) days after payment of inspection fee. A mission order (EHS Form No. 112) must be issued for every sanitary inspection; it must contain specific details (date, mission order number/series, inspector identity, establishment categories/addresses, scheduled dates) and must be shown to the owner/operator before inspection. Sanitary inspection without a mission order is prohibited.
Non-complying items trigger a sanitary order requiring correction within a grace period; failure to comply may lead to a second notice, possible extension by request, and a notice of hearing (show cause). After due notices and hearing, the local health officer may recommend suspension/revocation to the local health authority. Continued operation after revocation may lead to court proceedings.
Violators are guilty of misdemeanor. Upon conviction, punishment is imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or a fine not exceeding PHP 1,000.00, or both, at the discretion of the court.