Mayor to ban manicurists, masseurs from city plazas

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said he will not allow unnecessary structures and persons such as masseurs and manicurists in public plazas.

According to Treñas, he will fight to the end in clearing all public plazas in the city.

“We cannot allow our plaza to be a sauna bath or massage clinic. Ako ya, I will not allow. I will fight to end. Biskan mangin matay pa ko ya, indi ko ya pagtugutan nga usaron nga daw masahista or massage parlor aton plaza,” he said on Monday.

Small manicurists or nail technicians can be found in several district plazas in the city particularly in Plaza Libertad in City Proper district and Jaro plaza in Jaro district.

The manicurists bring their own stools and chairs and offer their services to passersby.

Recently, the mayor announced his plan to rehabilitate and develop public plazas in the city as part of its continuing policy to provide the residents with public places that can serve as a venue for enjoying outdoor recreation, promotion of public health and safety to promote environment and added attraction for tourists and investors.

The city government sought the help of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for a P230 million fund to rehabilitate five public parks next year.

Recently, the city council passed a resolution endorsing the letter of request of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas to TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Joselito D. Paragas.

The five plazas planned for restoration next year are Molo, Arevalo, Plaza Libertad, Jaro and La Paz wherein the costs based on the City Engineering Office’s assessment are: P75 million for the Jaro Plaza and belfry; P65 million for La Paz; P50 million for Arevalo; and P20 million each for Molo and Plaza Libertad.