METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Sunday that it is set to open for public use four female urinals located underneath the Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations on the Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (Edsa).
But MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes said the four urinals are just the initial part of the program, adding that the agency still welcomes suggestions from the public, especially women’s group if there is a need for additional urinals.
Safety concerns, particularly against robbers, muggers and even rapists, prompted the MMDA to design the female urinals fully covered and with only one cubicle.
Initially, the design of the urinal was for two persons but the agency revised it for the safety of the users, especially at night.
The facilities will have electricity and water and will be free to the public.
MMDA personnel will maintain the urinals 24 hours a day to ensure that it will not go the way of its male counterpart put up during the term of former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando when they were the subject of numerous complaints due to the bad odor coming from the ill-maintained urinals.
In a related development, Inocentes said they are also open to calls by members of the “third sex” to set up another urinal for them separate from the existing facility.
Inocentes earlier said a party-list group sent him a letter requesting for public toilets for gays and lesbians.
The Alyansa ng Media at Showbiz Inc., one of the party-list groups accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to run in the May 10 elections, proposed the putting up of "gay toilets" in government offices and commercial establishments.
AMS nominee Leo Martinez, a veteran actor, said such exclusive comfort rooms would protect homosexuals from discrimination.
Under the proposed system, a “gay male" and “gay female" would be constructed in government offices and in commercial establishments like malls and cinemas. (AH/Sunnex)