The Cebu provincial government is rolling out toilet stop facilities across 10 local government units (LGUs) in southern Cebu to better serve tourists and ensure readiness for the upcoming 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.
Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) head Rowena Montecillo in an interview said the proposal has already been presented to Governor Pamela Baricuatro.
Montecillo said the governor herself will choose the final 10 municipalities that will host the designated toilet stops, based on the provincial assessment.
‘These are probably areas nga posible nga from Cebu City, nga maka-force na g’yud nga maka-toilet na ang turista,’ Montecillo said, explaining that the stops are strategically located along routes frequently used by travelers heading south.
Identified toilet stops
Among the areas identified are Sibonga, Argao, Oslob, Aloguinsan, Barili, the City of Naga, Balamban, Carcar, and Cebu City.
Most of the identified sites are existing gasoline stations situated along the national highway to ensure accessibility and avoid directing tourists to inner roads.
Montecillo clarified that the province will not construct new facilities but will instead improve existing toilets in partner establishments.
Partnership scheme
The initiative will operate under a partnership arrangement between the province and participating establishments.
Under the scheme, the provincial government will shoulder the initial minor improvements such as fixing door locks, installing hand soap dispensers, providing toilet paper, repairing ventilators and cubicle locks, and adding mirrors and hand dryers.
After the improvements, the establishments will be responsible for maintaining the facilities.
In return, the province will recognize them as official ‘toilet stops’ and install provincial stickers signifying their participation in the program.
Montecillo said maintenance has long been a recurring problem when it comes to public toilets.
‘It has always been a problem. Naa, pero maguba. Ig-adto nato, guba na,’ she said.
To address this, the province will monitor the partner establishments to ensure cleanliness and functionality.
‘Kanang naay toilet pero hugaw, unsaon man na? Any tourist, it doesn’t matter if naay bayad or free as long as it is available,’ she added.
Montecillo clarified that not all toilet stops will charge fees, as the arrangement depends on the establishment’s existing policy.
The partnership, she emphasized, centers on maintenance commitment rather than revenue generation.
Once improvements are completed, the province will prepare a directory or simple map showing the locations of the toilet stops from Cebu City going south.
This will be disseminated to stakeholders, the media, and the public.
Montecillo said plotting and mapping will follow immediately after the refurbishments are done.
The provincial government is targeting completion of the initial 10 toilet stops by March, in time for summer.
Montecillo said only minor repairs and supplies are needed, and she expects the Provincial General Services Office and the Engineering Office to begin work soon.
While the initiative is partly in preparation for the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, Montecillo stressed that the project is not solely for the regional meeting.
‘We want to be ready g’yud in any case, not only for ASEAN,’ she said.
She added that ensuring accessible, clean, and functional toilets along major tourism routes is part of improving Cebu’s overall visitor experience.