A training center for aesthetic claimed it has filed an application for registration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) following a raid by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on its facility in Makati City last August 12.
“The absence of a proper TESDA registration was the cause of our operation and we have not found any other violation,” said Rolan Fernandez, the NBI Agent in charge of the operation.
“If we have found other violations by AADA (Argonza Aesthetics and Dermopigmentation Academy), we would have filed it,” he said.
The NBI has reportedly filed a criminal case against AADA owner Wenie Argonza before the Makati Metropolitan Trial Court.
She was charged with illegally operating the training center for aesthetic and dermatological procedures.
Also arrested during the NBI operation was Glenmae T. Bobier, an assistant of Argonza, who received the P55,000 marked money as training fee from an agent, who posed as an enrollee for “laser science” training.
The center was believed to have graduated hundreds of students who allegedly paid an average of P100,000 fee for a few hours of clinical lectures and practical training.
Argonza, 38, was charged with violation of the Education Act of 1982 following her arrest by the NBI operatives during an entrapment operation at her Argonza Aesthetic and Dermo-pigmentation Academy at Unit 102 Makati Terraces Condominium, Tejeros, Makati on August 12.
Argonza said the filing for registration with TESDA is in compliance with Batas Pambansa (BP) 232, also known as the Education Act of 1982.
She maintained that she never presented herself as a medical doctor nor did AADA operate as a medical clinic doing invasive and other forms of injectable procedures. She also refuted claims on social media that AADA charged P100,000 to P200,000 pesos per person on invasive procedures and training fees.
Hyacinth Salig-Bathan, counsel for Argonza, said the TESDA registration will clear the way for Argonza Aesthetics’ continued and unimpeded operation. “Although AADA is still in the process of registering its programs with TESDA, it has been accredited with CPD UK since 2020,” the lawyer said.
The CPD Standards Office works with a variety of training providers, speakers, coaches, employers, and knowledge organizations to recognize face-to-face training courses and events, online learning, and one to one coaching.