BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Who would think that this structure full of flowers and plants is a restroom?
Demonstrating excellence, the Botanical Garden and Wright Park Public Toilets managed by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) of the City Government of Baguio will receive the 2025 ASEAN Tourism Standard Awards for Public Toilet in Malaysia this January.
The city will be conferred with said award after being endorsed by the Department of Tourism following a meticulous assessment and evaluation based on the minimum requirements of the ASEAN public toilet standards.
The ASEAN Tourism Awards is an annual event that aims to recognize localities and units with high- quality tourism products and services, contributing to the sustainable development of tourist destinations throughout the ASEAN region.
Points were based on design and environmental management system, amenities and facilities cleanliness, and safety.
Visitors lauded the well-designed public toilets at the Botanical Garden and Wright Park for their cleanliness and aesthetic value.
“Maganda siya, tapos sobrang linis, napakalinis niya,’yung presko siyang tignan” Candy Pacia, a tourist from Pampanga said.
“Yung iba public nga binabayaran mo tapos hindi naman siya ganun kalinis, satisfied naman ako na nakapag-CR ako ng malinis,” she commended.
Ram,a visitor from Pangasinan, also complimented the cleanliness of the CR and the behavior of the maintenance crew.
This is the second time that Baguio City will receive this prestigious ASEAN Tourism Standard Awards for Public Toilet, which it first won in 2023.
Meanwhile, to further provide caliber service to the public, the city plans to rehabilitate public toilets along priority areas based on the ASEAN standards.
CEPMO Officer Rhenan Diwas shared that processes are underway to improve some of the restrooms in the zone.
“Ngayon, pinapabid natin ‘yung public CRs ulit, so may mga priority areas tayo na idadagdag para sa ganun ay mareplicate natin kung ano ‘yung example na nakita natin sa Wright Park at Botanical Garden,” he said.
Diwas said that restrooms to be remodeled are those at the Rose Garden, at the Children’s Park, tennis court and along Harrison Road within the Burnham Park area. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
