More LGUs encouraged to set up tourist toilets

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government is encouraging more local government units (LGUs) and private establishments to join its Clean Toilet Stops Partnership Program as it works to expand the network of clean, safe, and accessible restroom facilities for tourists and travelers across the province.

Provincial Tourism Office head Rowena Montecillo said the provincial government continues to invite potential partners to register their restroom facilities under the program, noting that wider participation would allow more travelers to easily locate clean toilets while exploring Cebu.

She said the Capitol is also prepared to assist participating establishments in maintaining quality restroom facilities under the program.

"Pwede na aron makahibaw ang tanan nga daghan ta’g available toilets, wala lang ta kahibalo asa," said Montecillo.

Montecillo said one of the primary objectives of the initiative is to create an organized network of accredited restroom facilities that visitors can easily identify and access.

She added that, as of July, the provincial government has enlisted 17 partners under the program during the administration of Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

According to Montecillo, some participating private establishments impose only a minimal maintenance fee to help cover the cost of keeping their restroom facilities clean and well-maintained.

The program covers a variety of establishments, including gasoline stations, bus terminals, bus stops, public markets, boardwalks, public plazas, and other facilities situated across different parts of Cebu Province.

The Capitol formally rolled out the Clean Toilet Stops Partnership Program in June through the signing of a memorandum of agreement with participating local government units and private establishments.

The agreement established the framework for a province-wide network of restroom facilities that travelers may use while moving around Cebu.

At the program's launch last June, the province identified an initial network of 17 Clean Toilet Stop locations spread across key destinations, including Oslob, Argao, Sibonga, the City of Naga, Barili, Aloguinsan, Toledo City, Balamban, Cebu City, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Bogo City, Carmen, Compostela, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City.

Most of the identified toilet stops are located within gasoline stations, while others are situated in public plazas, markets managed by local government units, and selected private establishments.

Under the memorandum of agreement, the Cebu Provincial Tourism Office is tasked with supervising the implementation and monitoring of the program.

The tourism office will also recognize participating establishments through official program signages, tourism mapping initiatives, and inclusion in the province's promotional materials and digital tourism platforms.

The province may likewise extend technical assistance on sanitation standards, visitor management, and accessibility compliance, subject to existing government auditing and accounting rules.

For their part, participating establishments are required to keep their restroom facilities clean, safe, accessible, and operational during business hours.

They must also ensure an adequate water supply, proper waste disposal, sufficient ventilation and lighting, as well as the availability of essential restroom supplies such as soap and tissue paper.

The governor earlier emphasized that accessible and well-maintained restroom facilities play a significant role in shaping the overall tourism experience in Cebu.

"Many may see this as a simple matter, but in tourism, small details leave lasting impressions. A clean toilet enhances the visitor experience, promotes public health, and strengthens Cebu's reputation as a premier tourism destination," Baricuatro said.

She added that the province's tourism success should not be measured solely by visitor arrivals but also by the quality of experience provided to guests. -  BRP (CEBU NEWS)