A pending house bill looks to regulate body piercing and tattooing in the Philippines. The measure requires persons who wish to engage in body piercing or tattooing to first obtain a permit from the Department of Health. I wonder how much the permit will cost?

Under the bill, any one who performs body piercing or tattooing without a permit from the department of health shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of arresto mayor (one month and one day to six months) or a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 or both at the discretion of the court.

Those who operate body piercing studios or tattoo studios without a permit shall be punished with a penalty of prision correccional (six months and one day to six years) or a fine ranging from P100,000 to P200,000 or both at the discretion of the court.

The penalties shall be imposed in the maximum if the violation results in the death of the patient, insanity or psychological damage of the patient and permanent physical disfigurement or disability of the patient.

Psychological damage? How will they measure that? I don’t like my tattoo and it caused me psychological issues! I actually agree with the measure. Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild (PTAG) members are required to undergo seminars by the Department of Health.

Read the whole article.