BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong has tasked the Health Services Office-Sanitation Division with developing standards for public comfort rooms (CRs) in Baguio City, aligning with its status as a tourism destination and the Philippines’ Summer Capital.
A statement released on Friday, April 12, said these standards will be presented and discussed during the upcoming management committee meeting on April 23 at the City Hall multi-purpose hall.
The mayor emphasized that standards are essential to ensure that public CRs, used by both visitors and residents, maintain cleanliness and sanitation.
“Standards are needed to be followed for our public CRs, used by visitors and residents, to ensure that these are clean and sanitary,” the Mayor said.
During a meeting on March 11 with Robert Colewan, head of the Sanitation Division, Allan Abayao from the Permits and Licensing Division, and a representative from the City Environment and Parks Management Office, the Mayor expressed disappointment with the condition of CRs in various restaurants and establishments he visited.
“Nakakahiya na, ang dumi-dumi ng CR nila. It’s about time siguro na maging mahigpit na tayo tungkol dito,” lamented the Mayor, noting the absence of basic amenities like water and soap in some facilities.
(It’s embarrassing how dirty and unsanitary some CRs are. It’s high time we enforce strict standards)
Despite Baguio’s reputation as a tourist area, many of its toilets fall short of expected standards in cleanliness and sanitation, the Mayor pointed out.
City Hall authorities responsible for CR maintenance have been reminded to ensure regular cleaning and the availability of essential supplies like water and soap.
The Mayor also announced plans to construct or rehabilitate public toilets to match the quality of ‘model CRs’ found at Botanical Garden and Wright Park.