Toilet operator to review contract with Capitol

CEBU, Philippines — Mister Loo Philippines (MLP), the operator of paid comfort rooms at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT), has asked for a few days to review their existing contract, which is under scrutiny following Gvoernor Pamela Baricuatro’s executive order no. 12 titled, “Free Use of Regular Public Comfort Room Facilities in All Provincial Terminals”.

EO 12 cited Republic Act No. 11311 prohibiting the collection of fees for the use of regular terminal sanitary facilities.

Capitol has granted the request.

“If at some point dili acceptable nila, we are in favor of terminating the contract,” she said.

To ease concerns that businesses might be discouraged from partnering with the Cebu Provincial Government due to possible contract terminations with every new administration, Baricuatro said legitimate enterprises have nothing to fear if they operate fairly and in the interest of the public.

“There’s nothing to be worried about. Kung tinarong nga negosyo, there’s no reason nganong i-terminate ang kontrata og naprotektahan ang rights sa mga taga-probinsiya sa Sugbo,” said Baricuatro in an interview yesterday.

Baricuatro said the province is allowing MLP time to review and respond to the government's proposal as they don’t want to make premature decisions. However, she made it clear that if MLP ultimately rejects the terms set by the Capitol, the administration is prepared to terminate the contract.

One of the points under negotiation is the 5% revenue share. “It’s not advantageous to the province and also to the government,” Baricuatro explained.

During their visit last Tuesday, it was found that MLP operates three comfort rooms in CSBT, and the province receives 5% of the company’s gross.

Baricuatro said MLP argued that their investment is substantial, which is why they proposed a 5% share.

MLP business development manager Cristina Bolcan previously said in a media release that “contractually obligated fees cannot be arbitrarily stopped.”

MLP’s contract began on December 21, 2023, and is valid until December 21, 2028, with an option to renew. They collect P10 for standard toilet use and P20 for premium facilities. The contract specifies no fee increases within its duration.

Meanwhile, provincial administrator Joseph Felix Mari “Ace” Durano said MLP earns about P33,000 daily from its CSBT operations and collected P7 million in 2023 alone.

“Mao toy concern gud ni gov nga kinahanglan ba nga magpabayad ta og toilet? Nga kung pwede man lang nga nindoton unya libre kay public facility man na,” Durano said.

Durano added that the current agreement is based on the past administration’s terms.

“Ang gitan-aw lang ni gov kay sa kontrata, naa may provision nga pwede i-terminate,” he said.

The administration is considering the creation of a task force to specifically handle all concerns involving CSBT and CNBT.

Aside from Mister Loo, another concern raised was the digitization of the terminal’s ticketing system by Topline.

“Let’s not blame anyone here. There’s something wrong with the process and policy sa terminal. They’re doing something right, but it’s just not the right venue and walay proseso,” she said.

She acknowledged Topline’s attempt to digitalize the system but admitted that the facility lacks the infrastructure to support such innovation.

“Mao na atong problema karon… because of something that was not done right in the previous administration,” Baricuatro pointed out. — /BRP (FREEMAN)