Masseurs cry discrimination, harassment in Panglao Island

PANGLAO, Bohol, Philippines – As tourism here booms, work discrimination among beach workers is reportedly becoming almost the order of the day that may eventually deprive them of their bread and butter, a member of a masseurs organization said.

This surfaced recently as the Tagbilaran-resident-members of the beleaguered Bohol United Masseuses and Masseurs Association (BUMMA) bluntly accused barangay and municipal officials of what they described as “form of discrimination and harassment” against them. The officials, however, were quick to deny the allegations.

The masseurs said the barangay captain of Tawala and other officials literally drove them away from their workplace, warning them not to engage in massage services to tourists at the beachfront and resorts for the simple reason that they are not residents of Panglao.

If they do, they would reportedly be arrested by the tourist police by virtue of an order by Mayor Benedicto Alcala and Tawala Barangay Captain Zenon Labaya, said Susan Sumbilon, treasurer of the association and a certain Julita Galao.

They said the policy would deprive them of their only source of livelihood.

The masseurs who trooped to the Capitol for help said Governor Edgar Chatto has already referred their concern to the Provincial Legal Office headed by Atty. John Mitchell Boiser.

Division

The masseurs group said the situation has divided their group into two - the masseurs who are residents of Panglao and those from Tagbilaran City.

The competition even went physical between two masseurs – Melissa Enderez, a resident of Tagbilaran City and Merly Dayuday, a resident of Panglao who is reportedly being backed by the town’s officials.

A medical examination conducted by municipal health officer Dr. Julita Cogo, M.D., showed that Enderez incurred “contusion, approximately 3 cms X 4 in size, upper third lateral aspect, upper extremity, right and multiple linear abrasions, upper third, lateral aspect, upper extremity, right.”

What makes the situation disadvantageous to them, the group said, is that some of them have already renewed their permits and even paid the necessary fees for the same. The mayor reportedly denied the application for permit of the other masseurs and told them that they could get a refund for their dues.

One masseur, for instance, a resident of Panglao, already paid a total amount of PhP2,270 for the permit and other fees with official receipt number 2251768 issued on February 02, 2012 by municipal treasurer Rena D. Guivencan.

Accreditation

BUMMA is accredited with the Department of Labor (DOLE) with registration No. 4687 based on the Labor Code of the Philippines.

BUMMA “has been registered as and conferred with all rights and privileges of a legitimate workers association established for the mutual aid and protection of its members. It shall promote the moral, social and economic well-being of its members and shall have the right to represent them in accordance with its constitution and by-laws for purposes not contrary to law,” DOLE pointed out.

Galao and Sumbilon said their members who have already practiced their profession as accredited masseus and masseurs have undergone training provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Both bared that they have pioneered the massage services in the area and earn about PhP300 to PhP500 depending on the number of clients they serve at a given day.

On January 27, 2012, Tawala officials enacted Barangay Ordinance No. 01, series of 2012, “regulating the massage activities.” The said ordinance is signed by barangay captain Labaya and certified by secretary Dionisia A. Guigue and subsequently approved by the Municipal Council on March 26, 2012 by virtue of Municipal Resolution No. 69, series of 2012.

The Resolution is signed by Vice-Mayor and presiding officer Dr. Evangeline Lazaro, M. D. as certified by SB secretary Analyn Alcala-Apduhan.

It was noted, however, that the ordinance does not provide for exclusion of anyone who is not from Panglao from practicing their massage services.

Alcala said he cannot issue permits to the masseurs because they reportedly failed to secure a barangay clearance despite the fact that they were already issued ORs showing they already paid the municipal fees as required by the ordinance.