CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said Thursday, July 24, 2025, that Mister Loo, the private operator of comfort rooms at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and Cebu North Bus Terminal, has offered P1 million for the rehabilitation of the terminals’ public comfort rooms.
However, the Provincial Government countered with a proposal for three months of free comfort room use for the public, in addition to rehabilitation of the two terminals located in Cebu City.
“They offered to spend P1 million to fix the toilets but what we are negotiating is free use of the toilets for three months while we are fixing our toilets,” Baricuatro said.
“Nihangyo ta nila nga libreng gamit sa ilang mga toilets (We asked them for free use of their toilets),” she added.
Offer not accepted
Baricuatro said the P1 million offer was not accepted, as the focus remained on securing free public access to the toilets for a quarter.
In addition to the proposals, Baricuatro said she will propose a lease agreement with Mister Loo instead of the current five percent revenue-sharing model.
“Mao sab na akong i-negotiate nga lease agreement nalang instead atong five percent (That is also what I will negotiate, a lease agreement instead of our five percent),” Baricuatro said.
Minimal returns
This comes amid concerns over minimal government returns from the existing contract.
Provincial Administrator Joseph “Ace” Durano earlier reported that Mister Loo collects an estimated P33,000 daily at CSBT alone, totaling about P7 million since the five-year contract began on Dec. 21, 2023.
Under that agreement, the Province receives about P1,650 per month.
As of Thursday, July 24, Mister Loo had not confirmed if it will agree to the Capitol’s proposal.
However, a Capitol official confirmed that Mister Loo requested a meeting with Governor Baricuatro on Friday, July 25.
Baricuatro earlier said existing government contracts are safe if they are fair and legal. / CDF