A number of tattoo artists do not have regular income, which makes the P8,000 business permit quite challenging for them.
According to 40-year-old Lloyd Claro, a tattoo artist in Iloilo City, he receives an average of three appointments monthly that generates income of about P1,500 to P2,500 each.
But while Lloyd and his colleagues understand the importance of a business permit, such unstable source of income makes compliance challenging.
Lloyd said he has to look for other means in order to comply with the requisites.
“Pinaghandaan na namin yan. May sales naman kung mina-market ang iyong shop at craft,” Lloyd said.
Since May 2025, the Iloilo City Local Government Unit (LGU) has required tattoo artists to secure a business permit, the primary objective of which is to regulate tattoo shops and artists in Iloilo City and comply with sanitary protocols.
Further, the LGU vowed to facilitate accreditation of freelance tattoo artists, or those who are not serving shops.
"Tulungan sa pag-promote ng kanilang services. May accreditation na ipo-post ng City Health Office ang mga accredited. So, therefore, safe ka kung magpapa-tattoo ka dyan,” said Norman Tabud, head of the Business Permits and Licensing Division of the Iloilo City LGU.
According to the Iloilo City Health Office (CHO), the health measure will help curb spread of blood-borne diseases that illegal tattooing poses.
CHO advises the public to seek the services of legitimate tattoo artists only and make sure they have business permits.
“Upang maiwasan natin ang pag-spread ng blood-borne diseases at cause ng needle injury. Most common, Hepatitis B, HIV [Human Immunodeficiency Virus],” Dr. Mary Ann Poli-Diaz, Iloilo CHO head, said.
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