DOH IRR on Massage Clinics and Sauna Baths

Certificate of Registration: Issued by DOH Committee for Masseurs authorized to practice and supervise.
Committee: DOH Committee of Examiners for Masseurs.
Health Certificate: Issued by local health officer after medical exams and immunizations for practitioners.
Local Government Unit: Province, city, municipality or barangay.
Local Health Officer: provincial, city or municipal health officer.
Local Health Authority: Governor or Mayor responsible for health measures locally.
Massage: Methods such as rubbing, kneading for remedial, hygienic, aesthetic purposes including reflexology etc.
Massage Attendant: Trained person authorized to massage under supervision.
Massage Clinic: Establishment with massage facilities under supervision.
Masseur/Massagist: Passed exam and holds certificate of registration.
Sanitation Inspector: Government employee enforcing sanitation laws.
Sanitary Engineer: Registered engineer heading sanitation units.
Sanitary Permit: Permission certifying compliance with sanitation rules for establishments.
Sauna Bath Attendant: Person giving steam baths.
Sauna Bath Establishment: Place providing steam baths.
Vermin: Disease-vector insects and rodents such as flies, mosquitoes, rats.

No operation without sanitary permit issued by local health officer.
Extensions or alterations require new sanitary permit.
Application or renewal filed at local health office.
Permit granted upon satisfactory sanitary inspection.
Fees set by local ordinance.
Ownership change requires noting with local health office within 14 working days.
Permit valid for one year, renewable annually.
Permit posting required visibly in establishment.
Records of all sanitary permits maintained and accessible for inspection.

Masseur must secure Certificate of Registration.
Masseurs/attendants/sauna attendants must posses up-to-date health certificates including STD clearances every two weeks.
Possible additional exams (Hepatitis B, VDRL, HIV with consent).
Health certificates must be visibly clipped on uniforms.
Clean working garments and handwashing with soap and 70% isopropyl alcohol before/after massage mandatory.
No sharing bathing facilities with customers by masseurs or attendants.
Registered masseur supervises max 50 attendants and must provide at least 6 hours supervision daily.
Massage attendants and sauna bath attendants must meet age, physical fitness, training, STD education requirements.
Operators must have up-to-date health certificates and employ licensed masseurs.
All other personnel must have up-to-date health certificates.

Floors: Concrete or impervious, cleanable, non-toxic materials; wood floorboards must be properly installed.
Walls: Smooth, non-absorbent, easily cleaned; toilet walls impervious and at least 2m high; light-colored paint.
Ceiling: Non-toxic, smooth, painted light color.
Lighting: Minimum 10 foot-candle for massage/reception rooms; 5 for sauna bath rooms; free from glare and shadows.
Ventilation: Effective, comfortable temperature; natural ventilation minimum 10% window opening; mechanical ventilation if needed.
Changerooms: Separate for genders; lockers, chairs, lounges provided.
Reception Rooms: Provide lounges/chairs equal to 10% of massage tables or customer capacity.
Massage Rooms: Minimum 5 sqm, sliding curtains or swing doors without locks, standard massage table size provided with clean linens.
Sauna Bath Rooms: Minimum 5 sqm, wooden benches, thermostats and thermometers maintained.
Other floor spaces: Adequate space and unobstructed pathways with at least 1.20 m width.

Handwashing, shower, toilet facilities: One per five massage tables or customers.
Customers supplied with soap, clean towels, bed linen, sanitized slippers and required to bathe before massage.
Water supply: Adequate, potable, with hot and cold running water.
Food and drink dispensing follows sanitation rules.
Sewage disposed consistent with sanitation codes or local regulations.
Solid waste: Separate containers with lids for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste; cleaned and vermin-proof.
Vermin Control: Regular abatement programs required; establishments may be served by local health agency at expense of owner if owner fails.

Local health officers responsible for periodic evaluation and inspection (minimum quarterly).
Inspections done within seven days after fee payment.
Inspection fees set by local ordinance.
Inspections conducted by authorized personnel issued mission orders.
Sanitation inspector to wear uniform and carry inspection tools.
Inspection reports kept and provided to owners; uses a 20-item checklist with scoring.
Sanitation standards rated as Excellent, Very Satisfactory, or Satisfactory with posted rating stickers.
Non-compliance leads to issuance of sanitary orders with compliance periods.
Failure to comply after notices may result in permit suspension or revocation.
Summary suspension for sanitary hazards.
Rights to hearings and appeals provided.
Power of entry granted to authorized sanitation officials.

Composed of DOH director, medical officer, sanitary engineer, legal officer, public health representative, masseurs' association representative.
Members serve staggered terms; secretary of health appoints chair.
Committee powers include:
- Conduct examinations and issue licenses.
- Investigate complaints and accredit training institutions.
- Revoke licenses for cause.
- Visitorial powers over establishments.
Examinations held twice yearly usually; requirements include citizenship, age (21-60), moral character, NBI clearance, physical fitness, education, training, and STI education.
Passing grade: 75% average without any subject below 50% (theory and practical).
Certificates valid for 3 years; require renewal and continuing education.
Grounds for suspension/revocation include criminal conviction, insanity, fraud, negligence, addiction, unethical practice, incapacity, and failure to renew.

Only licensed masseurs may practice massage.
Use of medical titles like "Dr." or "M.D." by masseurs prohibited in advertising.
Masseurs must avoid infections and abstain from work if infected.
Masseurs cannot prescribe drugs or medical therapies.
Use of harmful substances in massage prohibited.
Massage attendants must work under direct supervision.
Sauna bath attendants provide steam baths under supervision.

Violations punishable by imprisonment up to 6 months or fine up to Php 1,000 or both.
Interference with officials or destruction of notices also penalized similarly.