The Philippine Online Chronicles

Starting today, women can begin using the new female urinals put up by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and Commonwealth Avenue.

According to MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno these urinals, designed by engineer Lorena Estrella and costing P20,000 a unit, are meant to be prototypes.

“These sample urinals were set up to generate comments and suggestions from the public as to enhancement the design of women’s urinals,” he said.

“This is the time for our women’s groups to help. The suggestions they will air will be considered for the final design of the women’s urinals that will be built at strategic areas around Metro Manila,” he added.

The women’s urinals project has generated some skepticism among women, who have asked what sort of urinal they would be and whether it would be safe to use them.

According to an earlier statement by MMDA chairman Oscar Inocentes however, the female urinals came out of a demand from women to have their own urinals.

“A lot of people were calling, asking why we weren’t treating women equally, why women didn’t have their own urinals,” he said.

Inocentes clarified that the urinal would be designed for safety and comfort.

“At first, the design of the urinal is for two persons but we decided to have it for one to secure the safety of the users, especially at night time.”

The urinal will also be entirely enclosed to prevent attacks by muggers or rapists, he said.

He added in a separate interview that, “It is not really a urinal, it will be a comfort room. There will be running water inside."

After urinals for women, the MMDA might take on urinals for disabled people, Nacianceno also told reporters.

“I am thinking of the handicapped people, who may ask for their own urinals because their physical needs are different,” he said.