Replicas of MMDA’s pink urinals now circulating the world

Replicas of Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) pink urinals are now circulating the world.

In fact, miniature models of the pink public toilets are now sitting in office desks and conference rooms in Singapore, Germany, and Canada.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, who has been distributing his miniature little pink urinals to government officials abroad as a personal gift, said the world now knows of Metro Manila’s pee stops.

"At first they are curious, you have to give them a little background of what it is. They are amused and happy," he told The Star in an interview.

Fernando said the head of Vancouver, Canada’s Metropolitan Government, his counterpart, was very happy to have one when he gave him the gift early this year.

"Ambassadors, mayors and our hosts who welcome us in study trips receive these little gifts," he said.

According to Fernando, the pink urinalconcept is one-of-a-kind and the only place where he saw the same concept was in Amsterdam where male public toilets are made of cast iron.

Fernando said he has been giving out the miniature pink urinals as gift items for almost a year now since his birthday in July last year.

"I had them made at my personal expense. I had about 2,000 replicas made and about 300 were given away abroad," he said.

At present, there are some 500 pink urinals in Metro Manila found near roads, malls, transport terminals and other places where people converge.

Some consider these public toilets as health hazards or eyesores but Fernando maintains that these pee stops are serving its purpose.

The very boxes that contain his miniature urinals note that pee booths "may be smelly, and short in providing a concealed ambiance to the private process of liquid waste excretion, but it sure does the job."

The background also notes that men used to seek relief against walls, behind posts, or any other place believed to be least exposed to public view.

"Today, there is a more convenient and civil way to do it and this has become a symbol of discipline," Fernando said, admitting that the male urinals "may be smelly, but a bit more dignified."

He disclosed that more communities are asking for pink urinals to be put up in their areas.

The MMDA is continuously trying to find more ways to keep the public toilets clean with the help of the public and community-based people’s organizations. — Michael Punongbayan