DOT urged to spend P3.6 B on roadside restrooms

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ralph Recto called on the Department of Tourism (DOT) to use part of its P3.6 billion in annual travel tax collection to finance the construction of public restrooms across the country, particularly along the roads going to areas frequented by tourists.

Recto said there was a clear absence of toilets, particularly along the roads outside of Metro Manila where most of the tourist destinations are located.

In many feedback surveys, Recto said the absence of clean toilets has been listed as a major complaint by travelers.

“When a tourist comes out of the plane, the first destination he goes to is the restroom. So if we believe in the power of first impression, then we should make restrooms presentable,” Recto told DOT officials led by Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. during a recent hearing on the agency’s proposed budget for 2015.

Recto said government should tap travel tax payments made by departing passengers in building more restrooms “possibly under a joint venture scheme with local governments, state colleges, civic groups, tourism associations.”

He said the travel tax collection of the DOT is an ideal source of funds for the restroom program, considering the government collects about P10 million in travel tax a day.

“Just a day’s collection can already build several comfort rooms,” Recto said.

Recto said the government should prioritize the national highways where the dearth in toilets is most evident.

“If you travel the whole length of the Pan Philippine Highway from Aparri to General Santos or to Zamboanga, you can count with your fingers the restrooms owned and maintained by the government,” Recto said.

“The public toilet per kilometer ratio is one of the lowest in the world. The last report I read is that there’s about 1 for every 1,000 kilometers,” he added.

According to Recto, tourists and motorists who cannot find toilets while traversing the highways would be forced to “self-pee” or to relieve themselves along the roadside.

To address the lack of “roadside comfort facilities,” Recto urged the DOT to study the possibility of offering equity to local governments, state schools, civic groups in building and maintaining comfort stations that could have other functions as well.

“It could be a pasalubong center or a place you can get tourist brochures. You can put a convenience store. State colleges, which have the land, can use one as a practicum area for their HRM or hotel and restaurant management studies,” he said.

Recto said these facilities can be self-sustaining and income generating.

“You know some malls make money out of pay-per-use toilets,” he said.