Photo from Manila City Hall Reporters' Association/MANILA BULLETIN
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan ordered on Wednesday, July 5, an investigation on the alleged practice by some shopping malls in the city of charging fees for the use of their public toilets. Lacuna-Pangan directed City Administrator Bernie Ang to warn mall owners in Manila to stop charging fees in exchange for the use of their comfort rooms. She also urged mall owners to ensure that the practice is prevented as "it is anti-poor and runs counter to regulations the local government had set to govern their operations." According to Ang, the city government issued permits to mall owners that mandate them to provide the facilities that are needed by the public which include the free use of public comfort rooms. While most shopping malls in the city are privately-owned, Ang noted that the city government can hold their operations and enforce measures if the mall operations become contrary to public welfare and interest. Ang acted on a complaint by a concerned citizen who was charged P20 for the use of a toilet. However, the receipt issued to the complainant was only for P10. "The mall concerned additionally committed a wrongdoing by issuing a receipt that states P10 when the customers are being charged P20," Ang said. The city administrator warned that the violation of the conditions under which these permits were granted could be the basis for penalties on mall owners and even closure of their establishments.