KALIBO, Aklan—The Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo is eyeing to regulate body piercing and body tattoo in both adults and minors.
This will be enforced via a legislation currently being crafted.
Body-piercing practices and tattoo are common in Boracay. It is currently trending in Kalibo.
Some of these practices are reportedly being done in households. Sources said high-school students in this town are having tattoo by group.
Kalibo Councilor Cynthia de la Cruz, chairman on committee on health, said body piercing and tattoo for adults should be regulated by the Municipal Health Office.
“We agree tattoo is an art, a form of self-expression. However, there are health risks involved in both body piercing and tattoo. Among these is a huge possibility of getting infected with HIV-AIDS,” de la Cruz said.
Under the proposed legislation tattooing should be done in licensed parlor shops. It would also set preventive guidelines for those who wish to avail themselves of such art in a safe manner.
“Those who are operators of both body piercing and tattoo should undergo rigorous training from the Municipal Health Office. Tattoo is the procedure of putting ink into the cut skin by needle or machine. Possible effect includes allergy to dye, blood-born diseases like hepatitis, tetanus and AIDS if not done in a hygienic manner or equipment used are not well cleaned and sterilized,“ she added.
The city council is expected to conduct a public hearing on this legislation.
“We would listen to every one from resource persons to artists to consider their sentiments before coming up with a legislation,” de la Cruz said.