Wellness: No rules

Lack of standardization, and updated regulations from concerned government agencies left the Wellness or Spa industry in Cebu hanging.

"Our problem is, there is no specific rules and regulations from the government on the Spa or Wellness operations. We hope the government could immediately come up with specific guidelines," said Spa chain operator Johnie Lim.

In Cebu, there is at least one or two new Spa or Wellness Center opening every week, Lim said this industry must be regulated strictly because it deals with health, wellness, and hygiene, among others.

Without proper regulations implemented from the Department of Health (DoH), anyone can just open their own Spa or Wellness center and use their own method, thereby affecting the credibility of the industry especially that Cebu is vying to hit the international position as Spa and Wellness destination.

Lim, who operates the chain of Body & Sole wellness centers around the country (through franchise), and Revoir beauty salon outlets, the "legitimate" industry players wanted to professionalize this service especially in Cebu, as Wellness or Spa service now are one of the tourist attractions.

"We would like to provide clean, healthy and hygienic centers," he said, however, because of the absence of specific or stricter regulations, some operators could open their own spas although offering sub-standard services.

Haidee King, part-owner of upscale Meddah Spa, and Touch & Heal Spa and Wellness centers also echoed the similar concerned, adding that aside from DOH providing specific regulations, the Department of Tourism (DOT) also has to come up with accreditation process to categorize the services of Spa and Wellness centers.

"We did try to accredit with the DOT, but it's impossible for us to do it. Training is being held in Manila to certify our therapists," King said.

Other concern also is to keep the skills at home as the good ones are now slowly going out of the country.

Just like other industries, "brain-drain" is also affecting the Wellness sector.

"We spend huge investments in training according to our own protocol, but eventually we lose our people, it's very difficult," King cited.

Likewise, Medical Spa owner Fe Mantua-Ruiz of Ruiz Derma and Spa said wellness center must also be strictly followed up by the government, specially that facial treatment for instance require professional service, and must be done only by professionals like dermatologists, skin specialists, and the likes.

On the other hand, DOH-7 Medical Specialist (MS-111) Jocelyn Abellana said updated regulations for Spa and Wellness centers are still being formulated by the Philippine Institute of Traditional Healthcare (PITAH), an agency under the umbrella of DOH.

Meanwhile, industry players still have to wait and fight to keep up the industry's name, while some operators are apparently using Spa and Wellness services as front business for illegal dealings like prostitution.