DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY JOINT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR 2015-001, SUBJECT: Harmonization of DOH and TESDA Massage Therapy Program WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH) Committee of Examiners for Massage ‘Therapy (CEMT) is mandated to regulate the practice of massage therapy in accordance to the provisions of the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (PD 856) and Executive Order No. 102 s.1999; WHEREAS, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is mandated to provide relevant, accessible, high quality and efficient technical education and skills development in support to the development of high quality Filipino middle-level manpower responsive to and in accordance with the Philippine development goals and priorities: WHEREAS, the approved DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0034 dated December 10, 2010 entitled “Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing Massage Clinics and Sauna Estabiishments”, under Section 5.1 provides that no person is, authorized to practice massage as a profession in the Philippines without holding a valid Certificate of Registration issued by the CEMT and approved by the Secretary of Health is in fall implementation since January 2011; WHEREAS, Section 22, “Establishment and Administration of the National Trade Skills Standards” of the RA 7796 known as the TESDA Act mandates TESDA to establish national occupational skill standards. The Authority shall develop and implement a certification and accreditation program in which private industry group and trade associations are accredited to conduct approved trade tests, and the local government units to promote such trade testing activities in their respective areas in accordance with the guidelines to be set by the Authority WHEREAS, TESDA and DOH Accredited Training Institutions offer Massage ‘Therapy training leading to a National Certificate Level I (NC II) and License to Practice Massage Therapy. After a series of meetings between TESDA and DOH, both committed to harmonize their Massage Therapy Program: WHEREFORE, in view of the harmonization of the Massage Therapy Program of the DOH and TESDA, that following guidelines are hereby ‘established for guidance of all concerned:L This A three-year moratorium period is hereby declared starting January 2015 — December 2017 in the implementation of DOH Administrative Order No. 2010- 0034 - Section 5.1. . The minimum requirement in the practice of the profession by Massage Therapists shall be the possession of a TESDA valid National Certificate in Massage Therapy NC I during the moratorium period. . A composite team of TESDA and DOH experts will immediately work out a process that will harmonize the implementation of training, assessment and certification/licensure of Massage Therapists. . The following are not covered by the moratorium and shall continue operations: a. The accreditation of training providers by the DOH for the licensure examination; b. Registration of training programs with TESDA on Massage Therapy NC II and Hilot Massage (Wellness) NC Il; c. Conduct of training on Massage Therapy NC II and Hilot Massage (Wellness) NC II by TVIs with TESDA registered programs; d. Accreditation of Assessment Centers and Competency Assessors in the mentioned Qualifications by TESDA; and e. Conduct of Competency Assessment in the inentioned Qualifications. is Joint Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately. DR/ JAI EL. GARIN Hon. EMMANUEL/JOEL J. VILLANUEVA Secretary Director GenerafA Department of Heaith Technical Education and Skills Development Authority