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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solon urges gov't to act swiftly vs 'bogus' dermatology centers

Solon urges gov't to act swiftly vs 'bogus' dermatology centers

Published Sep 4, 2022 04:53 pm

The chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety has called for swift action by the government against the pseudo-training centers conducting illegal aesthetic and dermatological procedures.

(Photo from Argonza Aesthetic and Dermopigmentation Academy’s Facebook page)

In a statement, Sta. Rosa City Lone District Rep. Dan Fernandez emphasized the serious threat to public health posed by “bogus” aesthetic clinics demands swift action from authorities.

“The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Department of Health (DOH) should be made aware of this NBI discovery,” the lawmaker said.

“How can a person without any professional license or background be allowed to teach and demand over P100,000 in fees to train students on medically-sensitive aesthetics and dermatological procedures?,” he asked.

Fernandez sought immediate government action following the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) arrest of Wenie Garupa Argonza, 38, alleged operator of the Argonza Aesthetic and Dermopigmentation Academy.

NBI operatives arrested Argonza during an entrapment operation at the clinic in Makati City last month.

Argonza is facing criminal charges for operating an aesthetic and dermopigmentation training center despite the “lack of registration and authority” from the national government.

READ: Criminal charges filed vs operator of aesthetic training center ‘without authority, registration’

The lawmaker said Argonza’s alleged illegal operations should serve as an eye opener for the government to regulate dermatological and aesthetic clinics and schools.

He stated that medical groups should also give attention to this, noting the possibility that Argonza’s training programs may have crossed procedures that only medical professionals are authorized to perform.

In a resolution filed before the Metropolitan Trial Court of Makati City, Asst. City Prosecutor Cherrylin N. Go Ortiz found probable cause to charge Argonza with violation of Section 68, in relation to Section 28 of the Education Act of 1982.

“The allegations of public complainants are clear and categorical that Argonza was engaged in giving lectures, hand-on exercises and training on how to perform hydrafacial, oxyfacial, dermabrasion, chemical peeling and the use of Hifu machine without being registered with the Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS) of TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority),” said Go-Ortiz.

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