By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, July 7 (PNA) — More or less Php20 million have been allocated for the construction of “gender-neutral” toilets that will cater to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual (LGBT) community in some airports nationwide.
In a phone interview, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson Eric Apolonio told the Philippines News Agency that each toilet cost is estimated to range from Php 1 million to Php1.8 million.
He said that the first batch of toilets will be built in 11 airports—Busuanga, Butuan, Calbayog, Cauayan, Dipolog, Masbate, Legaspi, Pagadian, Naga, Puerto Princesa, and Tuguegarao and in the CAAP central office in Pasay City.
The construction of these new toilets are expected to encourage gender awareness and sensitivity among airport employees, Apolonio said. It is also part of CAAP’s gender awareness development program.
Apolonio further said that these toilets, which will have a ground area of about 50 square meters and will be painted with neutral colors, will be constructed outside the terminal buildings.
Construction will meanwhile take place within the month.
Meanwhile, upgrades and rehabilitation are also being done in of the country’s 41 commercial airports including the addition of other projects such as breastfeeding stations, diaper changing areas among others. (PNA)