pesowin Baguio eyes improving all public toilets for hygiene, safety

This toilet at the Botanical Garden in Baguio City complies with international standards for its amenities, cleanliness, safety, and design. The city government plans to replicate these improvements in all the public toilets for the convenience of both residents and visitors. —Photo from the Baguio City Public Information Office

DENR Assistant Secretary Rochelle Gamboa said in a news forum Saturday, “Economic policies will have to be local-based para ang pagpaplano ng pagpapaunlad ang siyang magpapahusay ng kakayahan ng Pilipinas sa paghahanda, pagtugon at pag-recover sa mga kalamidad.”

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The city government is eyeing the improvement of all public toilets in parks, markets, and other places of convergence to make them comply with international standards and safeguard public health.

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Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a media interview on Tuesday, said the upgrading of the toilets actually started in 2020, but they plan to step up the efforts to cover all public areas.

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This initiative includes making the public toilets conform to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Public Toilet Standards (APTS).

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Among the measures being done are the provision of amenities, ventilation, and proper lighting.

Magalong recalled the city already has two model toilets at the Botanical Garden and Wright Park, which won the ASEAN Public Toilet Award in 2023 and 2024.

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“We hope to apply this successful transformation to all our public comfort rooms in the city to realize our commitment to provide clean, accessible, and well-maintained toilets for all,” the mayor said.

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Rhenan Diwas, head of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), said they are working alongside the local finance committee on the funding requirements to realize the project.

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“We want to replicate the success across all public comfort rooms in the city. Priority is being given to facilities in Burnham Park and Harrison Road, which are critical due to high foot traffic and the bustling night market,” Diwas said.

He called on the public to support the project to elevate the city’s public amenities to world-class standards by doing their share in keeping these facilities clean.

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Interior of the Wright Park public toilet in Baguio City. —Photo from the Baguio City Public Information Office

International standards

Diwas, who received the latest Asean recognition during the awards program last Jan. 20, said it is an affirmation of the doability of the vision, highlighting the importance of clean, well-maintained public facilities that reflect the values and cleanliness standards of the people of Baguio.

Aileen Refuerzo, chief information officer of the city government, said the Asean standards award requires public toilets to have proper design and environmental management systems.

She said the guidelines include having a good wastewater management system and standardized water treatment system, a pleasant landscape and design, clear public toilet signboards, and disabled and elderly facilities.

Cubicles must have appropriate space, amenities such as coat hangers and ledges in cubicles, good ventilation, and a pleasant smell.

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For safety, considerations are lighting, locationpesowin, construction, materials used, and use of environmental cleaning agents.

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