Regulation of tattoo industry pushed

THE City Council committee on health and sanitation and health insurance chaired by Councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane is now reviewing a proposed ordinance regulating the tattoo industry in Cagayan de Oro City.
It may be recalled that the committee expressed alarm over the proliferation of the tattoo art business in the city, noting that even minors are getting tattoes for fashion reasons.
Councilor Gaane said the education campaign of tattoo artists to clients is not enough. The committee aims to regulate the business because of its health hazard issues, she added.
During its recent meeting, Jess Osilao, a home-based tattoo artist informed the committee of the different tattoo areas such as tattoo shops, home-based with a room at their house, home service/online tattoo, home-based without a room, among others.
He said that there are tattoo artists doing the art work through scratchers using needles for sewing. Fees for tattoo arts vary from P200 to P1,500, Osilao said.
Julio Acosta, chairman of the Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild and proprietor of a tattoo shop, said their group provides seminars and examinations to members. He added that they don’t allow tattooing anywhere. The group also pays taxes and abide by guidelines and by-laws, he added.
He, however, said there are tattoo artist who only learn skills from online videos and other social media.
Rowena Yu of the City Health Office supported the regulation of the tattoo business and assured that this will be included in their Family Health Advocacy Home Partners (FHAHP).
Carmencita Lubguban of the Department of Health (DOH) said they can provide advocacy on prevention and control of other infectious disease in relation to tattooing.
She warned that anything that pricks the skin may cause tetanus infection. (JBD)