ORDINANCE PROMOTING CLEAN PUBLIC RESTROOMS IN LA UNION, READY FOR IMPLEMENTATION; PGLU TO CONDUCT SPOT INSPECTION
By: Joanna C. Guerrero, PIO-LU | Photos By: SP | Date: September 2023
Anchored on the national government's agenda on providing clean restrooms across the country and with the aim to upgrade the basic services being delivered by the province of La Union to locals and tourists, ordinance 422-2023 dubbed as “The Clean Public Toilet Ordinance of 2023” is now approved by Gov. Raphaelle Veronica "Rafy" Ortega-David and is now ready for implementation.
The ordinance was principally authored by Board Member (BM) Joy R. Ortega, SP Committee Chair on Tourism, and co-authored by BMs Victor I. Rivera, Geraldine R. Ortega, Henry B. Balbin, Maria Annabelle S. de Guzman and, Ruperto A. Rillera Jr.
According to BM Joy, this ordinance was conceptualized following her observation of the lack of maintenance of restrooms in various parts of the province such as gasoline stations, malls, restaurants, and public markets, most of which are considered tourist hubs. She also related the importance of clean restrooms to healthier communities, increased tourism arrivals, and customer satisfaction, thus, supports local economic progress.
It is indicated in the ordinance that the owners or operators of public toilets shall be responsible for maintaining their facilities in a clean, safe and sanitary condition at all times by employing a sufficient number of janitorial staff to ensure that the public toilets are cleaned and maintained regularly. They shall also ensure that the toilets are equipped with sufficient lighting, ventilation, toilet paper, soap, and other necessary materials.
La Union Hotels, Resorts and Restaurant Association (LUHRRA) president Mr. Shyr Ampaguey expressed his support to the ordinance saying, “As partner of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), we give our firm commitment to support and abide this ordinance. We are also open to working with PGLU in the creation of corresponding campaigns or programs that would promote the participation of the stakeholders and give recognition and incentivize exemplary efforts.”
To guarantee strict implementation of the ordinance, a monitoring team has been created which is composed of the Provincial Health Office; Municipal/City Health Offices or Sanitary Inspection Team of all Local Government Units in the province of La Union; Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office; and La Union Provincial Tourism Office.
Violators of the ordinance shall be subject to Five Thousand Pesos penalty for the first and second infraction while for the third infraction, the establishment will be penalized with another five thousand pesos and the possibility of suspension or revocation of their business permit.
“To the public toilet owners, please keep your restrooms clean and presentable. Let's transform people's lives and give them the dignity they deserve. To the public, please be disciplined and give respect to the owners by making sure the restrooms are clean after use," BM Ortega said, as she enjoined everyone in La Union PROBINSYAnihan to take part in the said ordinance for a better and cleaner La Union.
The committee on Tourism along with the members of the monitoring team will be spearheading a spot inspection in the next days to ensure that establishments concerned adhere to the guidelines set in the ordinance.
