Roa: Comfort room designs must fit destination package

CEBU, Philippines - The project to standardize comfort room designs across the country simply won’t work, this according to former DOT Central Visayas director Patria Aurora Roa.

DOT secretary Ramon Jimenez earlier announced that a new project to standardize comfort room facilities for tourists across the country will soon be implemented. The pilot project for a nationwide design for public comfort room will kick off in Luneta Park this month.

Roa, however said that designs should follow the packaging of every destination. She said that in Carcar-Cebu for instance, a universal comfort room design should not be applied in this particular destination, as the place promotes culture, history and heritage.

“You cannot set up a modern design restroom in Carcar. The total package will be best felt it you set up one with a cultural detailing in it,” said Roa, who after her retirement from the tourism department, remains very active in helping the sector and working closely with the stakeholders especially in Cebu.

In his recent announcement, Jimenez said that the Luneta Park will serve as the “laboratory” for the different rest room designs that they hope to duplicate in all other tourist destinations in the Philippines, including Cebu.

Roa, on the other hand, suggested that before the government builds rest room designs, the private sector or the tourism stakeholders in each destination should be consulted first, or make a study on a particular destination so they can have better inputs in coming up with designs.

Providing clean rest room facilities in all tourist destinations, especially in the public attractions is one of the problems identified by tourism stakeholders.

“You have to study the local area, the different topographies and all so that you can have a better grasp as to the design and the right budget that will be needed to build it,” Roa said.

Having been in service for over 20 years as regional director for Central Visaya’s DOT, Roa said she is supporting the new chief’s rest room project,

“I haven’t met him (Secretary Jimenez) personally but he came across as very pleasant, articulate, intelligent even more pleasant than his predecessor. I am for this comfort room project,” Roa said.

Roa added that she is happy that the private and public sector in the industry has finally come together under Jimenez’ leadership who has not failed to recognize the role of the private sector and his humble gesture of reaching out to former Secretary Joseph Durano for advises.

“His gesture only shows that he is willing to learn deeper and that he is sincere. Hopefully he can do better. This will help boost tourism,” Roa said.

After initiating a meeting with former DOT secretary Joseph Ace Durano, during Jimenez visit in Cebu, the current secretary is also planning to meet with the business sector in Cebu, including the key tourism players here for a dialogue.— (FREEMAN)