THE Iloilo City Council has unanimously approved a proposed Sanitary Toilet/Rest Room Ordinance requiring all owners and proprietors of public and private buildings and establishments in the city to offer access to toilets and observe and maintain adequate provisions of toilet facilities.
In an open Council session on Tuesday, September 13, main proponent City Councilor Doctor Candice Magdalene Tupas said her proposed measure was reintroduced for final reading and approval after it was presented to the old membership before the May elections.
Tupas said the City Government is dedicated to provide basic services to promote the health, sanitation, and welfare of its residents and tourists alike.
Toilets and rest rooms are open to the public and their customers and the coverage covers shopping malls or centers including the floors with shops in commercial buildings, supermarket and we market, eating establishment and food centre such as restaurant, coffee shop, hawker food center food court, nightclub, discotheque, pub and karaoke house, conference hall, cinema, theater, convention hall and exhibition hall, park and plaza, transport terminal, gas station, community enter or community club, stadium and sports hall, public swimming pool, hotel, resort, schools and universities.
The classifications are not exclusive and may cover other establishments not mentioned but with toilet within their premises which the general public has free access regardless of payment or non-payment to access the premises.
Tupas said the ordinance provides the minimum standard requirements in the construction, maintenance, and operations of public toilets in the city of Iloilo.
This ordinance is in line with the objective of the city to promote and protect the health and welfare of its constituents by institutionalizing sustained access to improved sanitation services. (LCP/Sunnex)