Foundations of Massage Practice (1

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3.  Foundations of Massage Practice
4.  Introduction to the Module
5.  History and Governing Laws on Massage Therapy

History and Governing Laws on Massage

Therapy
Governing Laws
Massage spa/clinic owners employ massage therapists that are not only skilled but are also
equipped with holistic knowledge of massage therapy. Thus, knowing the legal basis of the job
and the different rules and regulations governing the profession is a plus to your employability
and entrepreneurial skills.

The following list highlights the key legislation pertaining to the practice of Massage Therapy in
the Philippines.

 Presidential Decree No. 856 Chapter XIII - Sanitation Code of the Philippines 

Chapter 13 of the Presidential Decree No. 856 serves as guidelines for massage establishments
and therapists as well. It governs the Massage Therapy profession.

Read more: 

http://portal.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Chapter%2013.%20Massage%20Clinics%20and%20Sauna%20Bath
%20Establishments.pdf

 Republic Act No. 7796 - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Act of 1994

Republic Act No. 7796 is the act that created TESDA. TESDA provides the Filipino people with
relevant, accessible, high quality, and efficient technical education and skills development
training. TESDA also has the authority to assess and give certification to trainees. For massage
therapists, TESDA provides the Massage Therapy National Certification (NC) Level II.  

Read more: http://www.tesda.gov.ph/uploads/File/REPUBLIC%20ACT%20NO.%207796.pdf

 Republic Act No. 8423 - Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997

Republic Act No. 8423 is created to improve the quality and delivery of health care services to
the Filipino people through the development of traditional and alternative health care and its
integration into the national health care delivery system. It also seeks to legalize the indigenous
societies’ knowledge of traditional medicine.

Read more: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1997/ra_8423_1997.html

 Republic Act No. 9003 - Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

Republic Act No. 9003 mandates the citizens to practice a systematic, comprehensive, and
ecological solid waste management program.

Read more: http://emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/RA-9003.pdf

 Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSH)

OSH Standards is created to ensure the workers social and economic well being as well as
his/her physical safety and health. 

o DOLE Rule 1070 - Occupational Health and Environmental Control

This rule establishes the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for toxic and carcinogenic substances and
physical agents, which may be present in the atmosphere of the work environment. TLV is the
acceptable airborne concentration of substances that will not create adverse effects on workers. 

o DOLE Rule 1040 - Health and Safety Committee

This rule requires all place of employment to have a health and safety committee. The Health
and Safety Committee serves as the planning and policymaking group in all matters pertaining to
safety and health.

o DOLE Rule 1090 - Hazardous Materials

This rule is intended for workplaces manufacturing, using, or generating hazardous substances in
solid, liquid, or gaseous form. It requires the workplaces to regulate the use and ensure the safety
of the workers.

Read more: http://www.oshc.dole.gov.ph/images/Files/OSH%20Standards%202017.pdf

 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Spa Services Standards 2016

The ASEAN Spa Services Standards 2016  is a unified spa industry agreement across ASEAN
members states. The standard tackles the certification process which will increase the quality of
human resources, services, and facilities in the ASEAN spa industry.

Read more: http://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ASEAN-Spa-Services-Standard-
1.pdf

 Republic Act No. 9262 - Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004

Republic Act No. 9262 is the law established to protect the right of women and their children
against all forms of abuse. This law defines the forms of abused women and their children are
vulnerable to, the sanctions and penalties that might be faced by the abusers and protection
orders to ensure the protection of the well-being and the rights of women and their children.

Read more: http://pcw.gov.ph/law/republic-act-9262

 Presidential Decree No. 442 - Labor Code of the Philippines 

Promulgated in 1974 and renumbered in 2015, the Labor Code of the Philippines serves as the
supreme law when it comes to labor and employment. This code consists seven books
encompassing all aspects in the field of employment from pre-employment to post-employment.
The last book in this document includes transitory and final revisions.

Read more: https://www.dole.gov.ph/labor_codes
  Republic Act No. 3720 - Food, Drug and Devices and Cosmetics Act

Republic Act No. 3720 is enacted to ensure the safety of products being subjected to the
consumption of the Filipino people. This law includes the establishment of the Food and Drug
Administration, the government body mandated ensure that all products being sold are safe for
consumption depending on the standards of the FDA.

Read more: http://www.fda.gov.ph/attachments/article/29032/RA%203720.pdf

 DOH Administrative Order 2010-0034 - Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing
Massage Clinics and Sauna Establishments

This administrative order enacted by the Department of Health (DOH) aims to institutionalize
and professionalize massage practice in the Philippines. This body of law imposes that only
qualified practitioners who have undergone training and were licensed under the programs of the
DOH are the only ones who are authorized to perform massage procedures. DOH AO 2010-0034
also aims to incorporate modern and traditional massage practices.

Read more: http://myhomespa.ph/ao2010-34faq.pdf

 Republic Act No. 9514 - Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008

Republic Act No. 9514 intends to provide rules and guidelines to ensure the safety of the general
public from all forms of fire hazard. This law involves provisions that mandate the Bureau of
Fire Protection as the authorized entity to conduct and evaluate the fire safety of buildings and
Filipino communities in general.

Read more: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2008/ra_9514_2008.html