| WITH small-scale spas sprouting on every street corner of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, the Spa Association of the Philippines Inc. (SAPI), has sounded the alert, advising the public that some of these establishments may imperil peoples’ health as they carry out practices outlawed by legitimate spa businesses.
Catherine Brillantes-Turvill, vice president of SAPI, spoke in behalf of the association: “People are rushing headlong in putting up spas without knowing enough about the industry and the dangers it might create. They lack standards, proper training management and product knowledge.” Turvill warns that malpractices in some spas may lead to paralysis or nerve numbness among clients. “When a spa is properly done, what people can gain are therapeutic benefits, not accidents that they will surely regret.”
Other members of the association also worry that the present proliferation of substandard spas may create a negative impression at the expense of the legitimate establishments. “Some who are inexperienced in spa services think that these places are massage parlors with extra services for a ‘happy ending,’” worries Dr. Mike Turvill, chief executive officer of Nurture Spa.
Even fly-by-night spas that provide home services did not win favor in the eyes of SAPI. “The home spa businesses should also be regulated. There’s a need to advise people operating within the gray line to consider ethics and the safety of their clients,” Catherine reiterated.
The sales and marketing manager of The Spa, Aimee Aquino, saw a positive side of the challenge, “These spas that are operating elsewhere somehow affect our market share, though [marginally]. What we should do is to enhance our services and be on a par with the quality of operating the business.” Aquino is not anxious over the competition posed by other multimillion-dollar spas. “We welcome a healthy and fair competition.”
SAPI has raised the regulation issue with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the partner agency for cost-effective medical treatment while showcasing the nation’s tourist attractions; and with the Department of Health (DOH). DOT has already adopted the accreditation procedure recommended by SAPI. However, the organization’s scope does not include regulation of undersized spas that are not members of the association. SAPI appealed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to find a way to have the regulations cover all levels of spa operations nationwide.
The local spa industry has been posting 7.9 percent growth each year; an average of 53 jobs are created per facility, according to DOT. As of 2006, SAPI has 85 member spas, an enormous 450-percent increase from 15 members since its creation in 2004.
DOT, on the other hand, has 50 accredited spa establishments which it helps to promote in domestic and international locations.
The government wants to position the country as the health and wellness destination in Asia.
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