Stores asked: Open toilets to public

CEBU, Philippines —  The City Council is requesting establishments along the Holy Procession and Grade Parade routes to open their restrooms to the public on the day of the two events.

Councilor David Tumulak, the proponent of the resolution the Council passed, said the portalets (portable toilets) that the city government will provide during these two events on January 18 and 19 will not be enough to cater to the thousands who will attend.

Last year, authorities estimated a crowd of 1 million in the Holy Procession and a crowd of 3.5 million in the Grand Parade the following day.

The portalets will be installed at different stations along the procession and parade routes – across the Santo Rosario Church, beside the Cebu maternity hospital, in front of the Carretta cemetery, and beside the barangay hall in T. Padilla.

Tumulak said that if they do not want the public to use their restrooms for free, the establishments along the procession and parade routes can charge a minimal fee of up to P10 per person.

Charise Diosana, manager of Coffee Bean Scent cafe along General Maxilon Avenue, said they can open their restrooms but not to certain people, especially during the Grand Parade.

“Pwede ra siya but we cannot allow those nga nay paintings or basa na sila. So far, amo gina-make sure nga limpyo among establishment and if ever sab hubog sila, dili sila pwede muari sa among c.r. kay maka-dagdag og trabaho sa among employees (That’s ok but we cannot let those with paints and or those who are wet in. We also cannot allow those who are drunk because we’re making sure our restrooms are clean and we don’t want to give more work to our employees),” Diosana said.

To some, getting dirty and wet on Grand Parade day is inevitable, especially to those who join in the fun of paintball or getting splashed with water in the streets.

Diosana hopes that those who will use the café’s restrooms will be responsible enough to make leave them clean.

Meanwhile, Rajah Park Hotel, which is located around the Fuente circle, will not open their restrooms to non-hotel guests.

Jazel Saldivar, guest service associate of Rajah Park Hotel, said they are expecting an additional 200 to 300 guests on the Sinulog weekend.

“Dili mi pwede na makapa-allow nga mugamit sa among CR because crowded na mi ana, so dili na pud kaya sa among hotel nga maka-accommodate og lain. Of course, naa mi mga tenants, mga employees, mga guests, so we are expecting 200-300 nga guests nga mu-come pa by that time (We cannot allow that because we will be crowded with our tenants, employees, and guests. We are expecting 200 to 300 guests more to arrive by that time),” she said.

Coffee Bean Scent and Rajah Park Hotel are located at areas that are often most crowded on the day of the Grand Parade. These areas also among those where street parties take place. JMO (FREEMAN)