BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Baguio City local government unit   is set to receive the 2023 ASEAN Public Toilet Award during the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awarding Ceremony that will be held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia this February.
 
In a report of the Baguio City Public Information Office, the Botanical Garden and Wright Park Public Toilets, both managed by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), bagged the prestigious award after complying with the requirements of the ASEAN Public Toilet Standards (APTS).

The APTS is a set of guidelines that ASEAN member states may use to ensure the quality, comfort, and proper waste management of public toilets in general at touristic destination. The said standard focuses on four main criteria which are Design and Environmental Management System, Amenities and Facilities, Cleanliness and Safety.

Supervising City Tourism Operations Officer Engr. Aloysius Mapalo said they submitted the two entries which were validated by the Department of Tourism central office.
 
"There are really actual visit from the validators from the national office so that they can submit it to the international body," he explained.

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.

Meanwhile, Mapalo shared that CEPMO plans to upgrade other public toilets in the parks and public spaces in the city.  He also mentioned that the tourism council is discussing the possible upgrading of restrooms in the transient houses in the city. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)  (Photos: Baguio City PIO)