Business: ‘Eye Impaired’ Masseurs Hurdle DOH Licensure Exams
"Lantawa bala, ang mga bulag ga hara-hara magpa licensya; ang iban ya? Look at how they strive, persevere and dared to be trained without sufficient amount
in their pockets while others are negative about professionalizing their crafts," says Mrs. Babes Fisher of O’Fisher Spa about the six Department of Health-licensed "visually challenged" (or blind) masseurs who were officially presented to the general public last Friday at the Metrodome.
The emotive recognition of six visually challenged (blind) massage therapists
duly licensed now by DOH who participated in the rigorous training conducted by
RIAM. There were those who did not pass the licensure exams but were likewise
recognized owing to the hours of training spent. Also in photo are RIAM
chairperson Dr. Mechelle Palma, former Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. and SPAN
president Mrs. Vicky Que.* (H James G. Toga/NDB photo)
"Ang iban naman naga wait and see (others are still skeptical) if the DOH will be serious in implementing its Administrative Order 2010-0034," added Mrs. Vicky Que of Grand Royal Spa and as President of the Spa Alliance of Negros, Inc., she and Vice President Babes Fisher are DOH-Licensed Masseurs them-selves serving as beacons to all.
DOH AO 2010-0034 read in its rationale, "To effectively carry out the provisions of Section XIII of PD 856 – "Massage Clinics and Sauna Bath Establ-ishments", the DOH through the Committee of Examiners in Massage Therapy (CEMT) regulates the practice of massage therapy to ensure that only qualified individuals enter the regulated profession and that the care and services which the mas-sage therapists provide are within the standards of practice."
Here in Bacolod, 61 blind and non-blind masseurs complied with AO 2010-0034 through the training facilities of the DOH accredited Remnant Institute of Alternative Medicine (RIAM) and were publicly recognized in a commencement exercise last Friday conducted by SPAN.
The six blind masseurs however were specially commended because of their unhindered difficulty and challenge to their trainors.
In her inspirational message, SPAN initiator Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue explained the essence of what a "professional" masseur is; coming for the word "profess" which in the Medieval Ages meant as a religious vow – a professional therefore "professed" in speech, thoroughly knowledgeable of science in a chosen department, skilled, experienced and very competent.
Atty. Sigue also explained that like cooks, they are no longer called "kusinero" or "kusinera" but "Chef" as this department is also being professionalized here in the Philippines.
Another guest former Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. reported his accomplishment in granting a one-week Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) based training on body reflexology.
"My training program then cannot match your training and examination under the Remnant Institute of Alternative Medicine duly accredited by the Department of Health under the Law," he said.
"My vision however, of transforming Bacolod City as the DOH-Licensed Spa and Massage Therapists Capital of the Philippines is born and bearing fruit. Atty. Sigue and I will continue to strive to make this into a fully bloomed reality under the umbrella paradigm of beauty, health and well-ness," Gamboa, Jr. added.
He lauded SPAN ini-tiated by Atty. Sigue in transforming the beauty, health and wellness sector into a primary industry employing close to 400 now.*
