Makati remains firm in stand vs MMDA’s public toilets

Makati City remained firm in its stand against allowing public toilets to be put up in the locality.

The city government said it will not allow the installation of Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) pink urinals in the country’s financial district.

City Engineer Nelson Morales said the installation of pink urinals along major roads is not included in the city government’s landscaping program.

"Aside from health and sanitation concerns raised by some sectors, we also believe that such facilities will not help improve the landscape and enhance the city’s image as the country’s financial and technology capital," he said.

Morales issued the statement after MMDA officials said they will replace the pink urinals in Makati that were supposedly stolen by unknown individuals.

According to him, the MMDA should stop citing claims by unnamed MMDA field personnel that Makati City government workers were responsible for removing the facilities.

"This statement has always been included in their press statements," Morales said, noting that Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado has personally given his assurance to the MMDA that neither he nor Mayor Jejomar Binay has ordered the removal of the public toilets.

"The MMDA should accept this assurance, and desist from insinuating that city government personnel were involved in the incident," he said.  

Makati City maintains that as a coordinating agency, the MMDA cannot implement landscaping programs without the approval of the local government units which have their own landscaping plans in their respective cities and municipalities.

Binay maintains that MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando has been implementing projects without the approval of Metro Manila mayors.