ILOILO City – In a sweeping regulatory move aimed at protecting public health, the city government has launched a citywide crackdown on unregistered tattoo artists, requiring all practitioners — including home-based and out-of-town artists — to secure business permits and comply with strict health and sanitation standards.
The initiative comes amid a surge in the popularity of tattoos across social groups in the city and growing concerns over hygiene in the largely unregulated body art sector.
Mayor Jerry Treñas announced the measure following a dialogue with local tattoo artists, emphasizing that the move is not only about legal compliance but also about ensuring the safety of clients.
“This is about public safety, hygiene, and protecting both the clients and the artists,” Treñas said in a statement. “We want to empower our tattoo artists by helping them become more professional, legitimate, and safe in the services they provide.”
Under the new directive, all tattoo practitioners must obtain a business permit, a sanitation permit, and a valid health card.
The city’s Task Force on Moral Values and Formation (TFMVF) and the Sanitation Division of the Iloilo City Health Office have been tasked to identify, inspect, and monitor compliance among both formal and informal practitioners, including those operating online.
“No one is exempt,” said Jennifer Avenir, head of the city’s Sanitation Division. “Even artists from outside Iloilo City who offer services within city limits must register and comply. We want to ensure that all tattoos done in Iloilo are safe and professionally delivered.”
Avenir said profiling and surveillance efforts are already underway, using field visits and online platforms to trace unregistered artists.
Tattoo artists are urged to coordinate with the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and the City Health Office to ensure they meet all requirements. Non-compliance may result in penalties or closure of operations.
The city government said the regulation is part of its broader campaign to uphold public health standards in personal care services, where improper practices could lead to serious health risks such as infections and disease transmission./PN
