Republic of the Philippines

City of Iloilo
OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

EXCERPT FROM THE MINlITES OF THE 9th REGULAR SESSION OF THE STH
SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF THE CITY OF IWIW, PHILIPPINES, HELD AT
THE SESSION HALL, 6TH FLOOR NEW CIIT HALL BUILDING, PLAZA LIBERTAD,
ILOILO CIIT, ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016.

PRESENT:
HON. JOSE S. ESPINOSA III
City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

Hon. Lady Julie Grace L. Baronda Member

Hon. Ely A. Estante, Jr. Member
Hon. Jeffrey P. Ganzon Member
Hon. R Leone N. Gerochi, Asst. Floor Leader Member
Hon. Reyland V. Hervias, Liga ng mga Barangay President Ex Officio Member
Hon. Mandrie T. Malabor Member
Hon. Plaridel C. Nava II Member
Hon. Armand S. Parcon Member
Hon. Eduardo L. Pefiaredondo, Floor Leader Member
Hon. Liezl Joy Zulueta-Salazar Member
Hon. Jose Efrain G. Trefias III Member
Hon. Candice Magdalane A. Tupas Member

ABSENT:

Hon. Joshua C. Alim Member

REGULATION ORDINANCE NO. 2016-260

ILOILO CITY SANITARY TOILET ORDINANCE

Sponsored by Hon. Candice Magdalane A. Tupas, M.D., Chairman,

Committee on Health, Sanitation and Hospital Services, duly
seconded by Hon. Reyland V. Hervias

WHEREAS, this is a proposed ordinance requiring owners and proprietors of

public and ptivate building establishments that offers access to toilets to observe and
maintain adequate provisions of toilet facilities;

WHEREAS, it is stated under Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine

Constitution that the "State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people
and instill health consciousness among them";

WHEREAS, it is likewise provided for under Section 16 of Republic Act 7160,

otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, under the General Welfare
Clause, that local government units shall ensure and promote health and safety of the
people;

WHEREAS, the local government of Iloilo City is dedicated to provide basic

services to promote the health, sanitation and welfare of its residents and tourists alike;

WHEREAS, provision under Batas Pambansa (BP) # 344 or an Act to enhance

the mobility of disable persons, by requiring certain buildings, institutions,
Reg. Ord. No. 2016-260, Sept. 13, 2016 Page2

establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices should also be
considered for the benefit of PWD's and senior citizens;

WHEREAS, in its goal to become a tourist-friendly City, the Iloi1o City Council
has proposed to set the standards of toilet facilities operated by business establishments
in order to provide guidelines and standards in the design, cleanliness and maintenance
of public toilets in its jurisdiction;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City

in session duly assembled that:

ARTICLE I
Title, Authority, Coverage, Exceptions

Section 1. Title. - This Ordinance shall be kno\.\'"II and cited as "The Iloilo City
Sanitary Toilet Ordinance."

Section 2. Authority. - This Ordinance is enacted pursuant to Sections 15

Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which provides that "The State shall
protect and promote the right of the people and instill health consciousness among
them; Section 16 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code
of 1991, which provides that local government units shall "promote health and safety,
enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology", as well as Art. III, Section 458,
paragraph 4, sub-paragraphs (ii), (viii) thereof relative to the powers of the Sangguniang
Panlungsod; the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (PD 856), Chapter XVII; and the
National Building Code of the Philippines (RA 6541);

Section 3. Coverage and Application. - This Ordinance shall cover the

entire territorial jurisdiction of the City of Iloilo. It shall apply to existing and future
buildings and stn1ctures with toilet or toilets within their premises which are being
offered to the general public or to their respective customers, regardless of
payment/non-payment to access the premises. Toilets in the following places are
classified as open to the public and their customers:

a. Shopping Mall or Centre, including the floor in commercial buildings with

shops;
b. Supermarket and Wet Market; Eating Establishment and Food Centre
(restaurant, coffeeshop, hawker centre food court), bar, nightclub, discotheque,
pub and karaoke house;
c. Conference Hall, Cinema, Theatre, Convention Hall and Exhibition Hall;
d. Park and Plazas;
e. Transport Terminal;
f. Gas Station;
g. Community Center or Community Club;
h. Stadium and Sports Hall;
i. Public Swimming Pool;
j. Hotel;
k. Resort;
I. Schools and universities;

The aforementioned classifications are not exclusive and may cover other
establishments not mentioned above but with a toilet or toilets within their premises
which the general public has free access, regardless of payment/non-payment to access
the premises.
Reg. Ord. No. 2016-260, Sept. 13, 2016 Page3

ARTICLE II
Purpose and Objective

Section 4. Purpose and Objective. - The ordinance provides the minimum

standard requirements in the constn1ction, maintenance and operations of Public
Toilets in the City of Iloilo in line with its o~jective to promote and protect the health
and welfare of its constituents by institutionalizing sustained access to improved
sanitation services.

ARTICLE III
Definition of Terms

Section 5. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Ordinance, the terms

and phrases herein provided shall be constn1ed to mean as follows:

a) Establishment - any stn1cture or building used principally in conducting

one's trade or business.

b) Toilet -is a room or small building containing one or more toiJ~ts and
possibly also urin<:1ls which is available for use by the general public or their customers
with a floor area that is not less than (i.20) square meters, nor a height of not less than
(2.40) meters for every cubicle/toilet room.

c) Urinals -is a to_il~~_t-like plumbing fixture for 111i!u1_tfon only. It can take the
form of a container or simply a wall, with drainage and automatic or manual flushing.

d) Flush Toilets -is a tojJ~_t. that disposes of human liquid and solid waste, by
using water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location for disposal

e) Hand Washing Sinks - is a bowl-shaped uL1J.rnl1ing____f1'ttnn used for

washing b<JH!l!i

f) Water Faucets -a faucet for drawing water from a pipe or cask.

g) Soap Dispensers -is a device that, when manipulated or triggered

appropriately, yields liquid or foam 5~2'112 It can be manually operated by means of
a hfln<ll1_, or can be automatic.

h) Sanitary Disposal - a system for collection of waste materials or garbage

either a waste basket, plastic bin or the like in every cubicle.

i) Warm Air Dryers -are electric devices that are used to dry hands and may
either operate with a button or automatically using an infrared sensor~

j) Paper Dispensers -a container, package, device, or vending machine for

holding and dispensing toilet paper, or facial tissue or other sanitary necessities in small
amount

k) Toilet Paper Holders -also known as a toilet paper dispenser, is an item

that holds a ty_ikl J>1112er

1) IEC - Information, Education and Communication.

Reg. Ord. No. 2016-260, Sept. 13, 2016 Page4

rn) Toilet Facility - refers to a structure built of materials of any kind inside or
as part of a house or building used by its residents, occupants, visitors, employees,
transients or customers as comfort room and lavatory with septic tank built for the
purpose.

ARTICLE IV
Toilet Facility

Section 6. Sanitary Public Toilet. - The establishments covered by this

ordinance operating or doing business within the City of Iloilo shall provide a sanitary
toilet within their premises of the type approved by the City Engineer/Building Official.

a.) Control and Supervision.- All toilets intended for public use shall be
under the control and supervision of the City Engineer and City Health Office.
However, it is the operator who shall provide sufficient number of personnel and funds
for proper upkeep of the same.

b.) Toilets in Public Buildings used as places for assembly.- In all public
buildings, theaters, factories, and other houses used as places of assembly where
persons of both sexes are employed, occupied or assembled, sufficient, suitable and
separate sanitary toilet facilities shall be provided for each sex, of the type approved by
the City Engineer/City Building Official. Thus; the toilet; ideally and upon issuance of
permit by the City Engineers Office, shall not be less than one (1) seat for every twenty
five (25) female and one (1) seat and one (1) urinal for every fifty (50) male, and every
fraction thereof to be calculated on the maximum capacity of the establishment,
building or place of assembly.

c.) Toilet Facilities for Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens and
Children. - In all public toilets, due considerations on the designs, facilities and
amenities that will cater to the needs of Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens and
Children must be provided in accordance and compliance with BP 344 or Act to
enhance the mobility of disable persons, by requiring certain buildings, institutions,
establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.

Section 7. Toilet/Restroom Signage.- Clear signage should be designated for

each male/female of required public toilet facilities. The location of the signs should be
near the entrance to each toilet facility and clearly displayed at noticeable locations in
main traffic passageways to direct the public to the toilets. The design of signage should
be of a commonly recognized female and/ or male figure in dark colour contrasted on a
light background .. Where a common toilet is provided for both genders, a signage with
the word "Toilet/Restroom" may be enough.

Section 8. Minimum Design Criteria. -- The minimum design requirements

for public toilet shall be as follows:
(a) Wall finishes shall be of materials which are impervious and durable such as
ceramic tiles and phenolic panels to facilitate cleaning;

(b) Floors shall be constn1cted of waterproof non-slip surfaces like ceramic tiles,
natural stone, homogeneous tiles or other impervious materials to facilitate cleaning;

(c) All toilet rooms shall have sufficient lighting and ventilation, either natural or
artificial. The toilet shall be well-ventilated by natural or mechanical means to remove
odours and to keep floors dry;
Reg. Ord. No. 2016-260, Sept. 13, 2016 Pages

(d) No toilet room shall have a floor area that is less than (i.20) square meters,
nor a ceiling height of not less than (2-40) meters (8 feet) ( in consonance with the
standard of Sec. 5.oi.05 and Sec. 5.oi.06 of the National Building Code);

Toilet room intended for PWDs, shall have a minimum area of 1. 70 x 1.80 meters,
with installed grab bar and a swing out door to access a wheelchair in compliance with
the provisions under BP No. 344 or an Act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons,
by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install
facilities and other devices.

(e) Cubicle partitions shall be of rigid design and wall or ceiling hung, where
practical, with minimum support for easy cleaning of the floor.

Section 9. Flush Toilets. -- Pedestal type toilet bowl with flushing mechanism
and installed toilet hose or "bum gun" shall be provided and preferably be wall hung,
without leg support, so as to facilitate cleaning.
Section 10. Urinals. - Urinals in toilets shall be fitted with incorporated
flushing system to rinse urine from the bowl of the device to prevent foul odours. Where
a waterless urinal is installed, it shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions and not cause any odour nuisance.

Individually, wall-hung urinal units shall be at least 3oomm wide and the lip of
the collection area shall project from the wall by at least 3oomm. A urinal should not be
set closer than 45omm from its centre to any side wall, partition, vanity or other
obstn1ction, or closer than 9oomm centre-to-centre between adjacent fixtures. There
should be at least a 9oomm clearance in front of the urinal to any wall, fixture or door.
Urinals should be separated by modesty boards of not less than 3oomm x 18oomm
(Height) to act as a visual barrier between urinals. The modesty boards should be high
enough to block the view of other users. However, it should not extend right down to the
floor as this makes cleaning considerably harder.

Section 11. Hand Washing Sinks and Water Faucets. - Sinks with water
faucets shall be installed and should be substantial in size designed in such a way that
can minimize the problem of water spilling. The basins should have a minimum size of
5oomm in length and 4oomm in width.
In food retail outlets where toilet facilities are provided, wash basins shall
preferably be provided outside the toilet. Water faucets must at all times have running
water or water must be sufficiently supplied with appropriate provision of clean pail and
water dipper.
Section 12. Amenities that must be Provided.

a. Liquid Soap Dispensers with liquid soap;

b. Covered Sanitary Disposal;
c. Paper Dispensers or, an optional, Warm Air Dryers
d. Toilet Paper Dispensers/Holders; and
e. Pail and water dipper, if no running water

Toiletries like liquid soap and toilet paper must be provided at all times.

Section 13. Sanitary Maintenance. - All toilets shall be kept clean, having a
pleasant odour, and in good condition and no waste water shall be permitted to be
Reg. Ord. No. 2016-260. Sept. 13, 2016 Page 6

exposed to flies, insects, rodents and/ or other animals. Toilet floors and basin must be
kept dry at all times and free of stench or odour.

There must be an assigned personnel with a monitoring sheet to conduct an

hourly inspection of the condition of the toilet/ s.

Section 14. Drainage of Premises and Yards. - It shall be the duty of any
owner, administrator or agent of any establishment or premises to provide the yard of
the said establishment or premises with adequate drainage leading to suitable gutter, or
sub-surface drainage, and causing no nuisance toilets to the neighborhood or the public
in general.

ARTICLEV
Administration and Enforcement

Section 15. Sanitation Inspection- Inspection of toilet facilities will be done

by the Sanitation and Heahh official, and Tourism Inspector, a:s part of the Sanitation
and Tourism Accreditation requirement of each establishment.

Section 16 Right of Entrance and Inspection. - The health and sanitation

officialjs and Tourism Inspector has/have to ascertain the maintenance of adequate
sanitary conditions of public toilets. No person, after being duly notified, shall interfere
with or obstruct the entrance to any premises, establishment of the proper city officials
in the discharge of their official functions under this Ordinance

Section 17. Monitoring and Evaluation. - Close monitoring of all activities

in the implementation of this ordinance shall be undertaken by the Healtb and
Sanitation officials. A progress report must be written on tbe number of establishments
inspected, their recommendations and such other matters relative to its
implementation.

ARTICLE VI
Rewards and Incentives

Section 18. Rewards and Incentive Scheme- Subject to the

recommendation of the Health and Sanitation Department, rewards, monetary or
otherwise, shall be provided to owners and proprietors of business establishments that
have complied beyond the minimum standard requirements set by this ordinance.

Section 19. Tourism Accreditation - Compliance of business establishments

under this Ordinance shall be one of the basis for accreditation by the City Tourism
Office.

ARTICLE VII
Penalties

Section 20. Penalties - Establishment found violating any provision of this

ordinance shall suffer the following penalty:

i. 1st offense - written warning;

2. 2nd offense - recommendationior suspension of business permit, sanitation
license and tourism accreditation (if applicable) for one week;
3. 3rd offense - a fine of P 5,000.00 and suspension of business permit,
sanitation license and tourism accreditation (if applicable) for 1 week.
Reg. Ord. No. 2016~260. Sept. 13, 2016 Page7

ARTICLE VIII
Information, Education and Communication,

Section 21. To ensure widespread understanding and support of the objectives,

components and implementation mechanics of this Ordinance the Public Information
Office shall, within six (6) months from the approval of this Ordinance, formulate an
appropriate and stakeholder-directed information, education and communication (IEC)
program and materials.

a) Implementation of IEC activities shall commence immediately after the

approval of this Ordinance by disseminating copies of the Ordinance to barangay
captains, heads of government agencies and owners/managers of establishments in
Iloilo City.

b) The City sha11 endeavor to secure the cooperation of the mass media
organizations operating in the City to disseminate information pertaining to this
Ordinance.

ARTICLE IX
Final Provisions

Section 22. The Local Chief Executive shall formulate the Implementing Rules
and Regulations within 90 days after the effectivity of this ordinance for au effective
implementation of the same.

Section 23. Separability Clause. - Should any section or provision of this

Ordinance be declared by any court to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall
not affect the validity of this Ordinance as a whole or any part thereof other than the
part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.

Section 24. Repealing Clause. - A11 ordinances or parts thereof which are in
conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

Section 25. Effectivity Clause. - This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Iloilo.

ENACTED, September 13, 2016.

I hereby certify to the correctness of the above qu ted ordinance.

R H.H.ARROY
Secret ry to the San anVL
,_,,,_,~

ATTESTED AND CERTIFIED

TO BE DULY ENACTED:

/nats/DN 16-3377