Bacolod City Legal Officer Allan Zamora yesterday said it is unfortunate that pink cards have negative connotations but this is required by law of masseurs or massage attendants.

Unless the law is amended, we have to follow it, he said.

Zamora said it is the opinion of the Department of Health that the color of health certificates to be issued to women (and men) employed in establishments known as "spas" should be pink as stated in Presidential Decree 856.

He said the issue was raised by Bacolod City Health Sanitary Inspector Neil Recidoro to the DOH. Recidoro also sought his comment on the opinion of the DOH, he said.

In his opinion, Zamora said P.D. 856 and the implementing rules and regulations of Chapter XIII of the Code expressly and clearly provide that masseurs, massage attendants and sauna bath attendants shall be issued with pink health certificates.

He said the physical or structural set up of spa massage clinics or spa therapeutic clinics does not exempt their masseurs or attendants from securing pink health certificates.

Zamora said the possession of an up-to-date pink health certificates of masseurs and massage clinic attendants, including the required clearances for sexually transmitted diseases is mandatory, and, at least every two weeks, must be secured from the DOH accredited government clinic or hospital. The local health officer cannot exercise his discretion, but must abide with the provisions of P.D. 856 and its IRR.*CGS

back to top